Detection of Microcalcifications using the Ultrasound Doppler Twinkling Artifact

• Published in: Biomedical engineering Vol. 54; no. 3; pp. 174 - 178
• Main Authors: Leonov, D. V., Kulberg, N. S., Gromov, A. I., Morozov, S. P.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 01-09-2020; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Biomaterials; Biomedical Engineering and Bioengineering; Breast cancer; Color; Diagnostic systems; Doppler effect; Engineering; Mammography; Microcrystals; Mineral inclusions; Polyurethane; Polyurethane resins; Polyurethanes; Telemedicine; Tomography; Tumors; Ultrasonic imaging; Ultrasound; Vibration
• ISSN: 0006-3398; 1573-8256
• DOI: 10.1007/s10527-020-09998-y

We analyzed the possibility to detect microcalcifications using a novel ultrasound diagnostic mode based on advanced analysis of the color Doppler twinkling artifact. The special mode was tested with two phantoms: a commercially available polyurethane mammographic breast phantom with dense inclusions simulating microcalcifications and a phantom developed in our laboratory and containing chemically grown CaSO
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microcrystals less than 200 μm in size. The mineral inclusions in the first phantom were visible in B-mode and correctly detected with the novel mode. The presence of inclusions in the second phantom was not obvious when imaged in B-mode; however, it was reliably detected with the special mode. The special mode used two colors to distinguish between the physical processes behind the color Doppler twinkling artifact — elastic vibration and microcavitation. This research demonstrated the applicability and usefulness of the special diagnostic mode for the detection of microcalcifications in phantoms.