Investigation into accuracy and reproducibility of a 3D breast imaging system using multiple stereo cameras

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Summary

Background

The aim of this study was to evaluate the validity of a three-dimensional (3D) multiple stereo camera system for objective breast assessment.

Methods

A multiple stereo camera system, which consisted of four pods and eight cameras, two cameras on each pod, developed by Glasgow University, was used.

Nine specially shaped plaster breast models were captured once, 3Dmodels were constructed and the volume of each plaster model was measured 10 times by the breast analysis tool (BAT) software. A comparison was conducted with water displacement method, and measurements were repeated 10 times.

The breast of six live volunteers was captured six times; from each breast capture, a 3D model was constructed and the volume was measured with BAT software. Breast volume assessment by the water displacement method was repeated six times.

Results

In all plaster casts, the discrepancies in volume measurements between 3D imaging and water displacement methods did not exceed 40 cc. The overall mean relative difference was 5%. The differences of the two methods were not significant at p = 0.189, overall mean difference: 11.1 cc and 95% confidence interval (CI) was (−6.732, 28.976).

In the live models, the differences in breast volume measurements between the 3D imaging and water displacement methods were significant at p  0.017, overall mean difference: 207.05 cc and 95% CI (56.12, 357.98). Measurements by 3D imaging were consistently smaller.

In the live models, 3D imaging overall was a more reproducible method for measuring breast volume than the water displacement method with a standard deviation of 36 units cc−1 and 62.6 units cc−1, respectively.

Conclusions

The 3D breast imaging system using multiple stereo cameras was accurate for measuring the volumes of breast-shaped plaster models, and it was more reproducible than the water displacement method in live models. 3D imaging is a reliable method for the comparative assessment of breast volume.

Section snippets

Aim of the study

The aim of the study was to assess the validity of a 3D breast imaging system based on multiple stereophotogrammetry. The accuracy and the reproducibility of the system in recording breast volume were evaluated.

3D breast capture system using multiple stereophotogrammetry

The process of capturing a numeric representation of the breast in 3D and then extracting the required breast surface area and volume information comprises the following steps:

  • (1)

    Acquisition of four stereo-pairs of images covering the required field of view of both breasts;

  • (2)

    Processing each of the four stereo-pairs of images depicting the breasts to generate four corresponding 3D surface models;

  • (3)

    Integration of the four individual surface models into a single continuous 3D model of both breasts; and

  • (4)

Plaster models, systematic differences

The overall mean difference of the plaster volume measurements between stereophotogrammetry and water displacement was 11.12 cc. When assessing the systematic differences, nearly all data points lay close to the line of equality (Figure 3(a)). In all cases, the discrepancy between the volume that was measured by water displacement and by 3D imaging did not exceed the total of 40 cc (Table 1). The average relative difference was 5%. The difference between both methods was not statistically

Discussion

Significant numbers of women require breast reconstruction following mastectomy as breast cancer presents with increasing incidence in the Western world. Surgeons are striving to restore breast volume and shape and to achieve maximum symmetry in comparison to the unaffected side. An objective outcome measure following breast reconstruction is desirable. With newly developed multiple stereo camera systems, the objective evaluation of breast volume, shape and symmetry, surgical planning and

Conclusion

The 3D imaging system using multiple stereo cameras could be used reliably for comparative clinical analysis of breast size where absolute volume measurements are not required.

Acknowledgement

I would like to thank Mr. George Payne, M.I.M.P.T, chief maxillofacial technologist at the North Glasgow University Hospital Division as well as the six live model volunteers for their contribution to the study.

References (13)

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