Publications

O'Connell, A.M., Karellas, A. and Vedantham, S. (2014), The Potential Role of Dedicated 3D Breast CT as a Diagnostic Tool: Review and Early Clinical Examples. Breast J, 20: 592-605. https://doi.org/10.1111/tbj.12327

Abstract

Mammography is the gold standard in routine screening for the detection of breast cancer in the general population. However, limitations in sensitivity, particularly in dense breasts, has motivated the development of alternative imaging techniques such as digital breast tomosynthesis, whole breast ultrasound, breast-specific gamma imaging, and more recently dedicated breast computed tomography or “breast CT”. Virtually all diagnostic work-ups of asymptomatic nonpalpable findings arise from screening mammography. In most cases, diagnostic mammography and ultrasound are sufficient for diagnosis, with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) playing an occasional role. 

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Vedantham S, O'Connell AM, Shi L, Karellas A, Huston AJ, Skinner KA. Dedicated Breast CT: Feasibility for Monitoring Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Treatment. J Clin Imaging Sci. 2014 Nov 29;4:64. doi: 10.4103/2156-7514.145867. PMID: 25558431; PMCID: PMC4278089.

Fang, A, Chan, S, O'Connell, A, Cone-beam Breast Computed Tomography: A Promising Modality for Assessing Tumor Response Following Neoadjuvant Treatment of Breast Cancer.  Radiological Society of North America 2013 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, December 1 - December 6, 2013 ,Chicago IL. 

Abstract

Accurate imaging is important for patients diagnosed with locally advanced breast cancer for monitoring tumor size and guiding treatment decisions. Currently utilized standard imaging and clinical breast examinations are not always accurate. The purpose of this exhibit is to highlight non-contrast cone-beam breast computed tomography (CBBCT) as a promising modality for evaluating tumor response during and following neoadjuvant treatment of breast cancer.

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Seifert, P, Arieno, A, Morgan, R, Cone Beam Breast Computed Tomography’s Ability to Detect Mammographically Occult Lesions.  Radiological Society of North America 2013 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, December 1 - December 6, 2013 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2013/13014608.html Accessed May 29, 2023

Abstract

Purpose: To review lesions that were mammographically occult and imaged with cone beam breast Computed Tomography (CT) with or without contrast.

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Seifert, P, Morgan, R, Arieno, A, Initial Experience with a Breast Computed Tomography Guided Biopsy System (BCT-GBx) for Cone Beam Breast CT (CBBCT).  Radiological Society of North America 2013 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, December 1 - December 6, 2013 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2013/13044191.html Accessed May 29, 2023

Abstract

Purpose:To prove the efficacy of using a BCT guided breast biopsy bracket system for lesion retrieval in phantom and subject studies. 

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Shi, L., Vedantham, S., Karellas, A. and O'Connell, A.M. (2013), Technical Note: Skin thickness measurements using high-resolution flat-panel cone-beam dedicated breast CTa). Med. Phys., 40: 031913. https://doi.org/10.1118/1.4793257

Vedantham S, Shi L, Karellas A, O'Connell AM. Dedicated breast CT: fibroglandular volume measurements in a diagnostic population. Med Phys. 2012 Dec;39(12):7317-28. doi: 10.1118/1.4765050. PMID: 23231281; PMCID: PMC3524966.

Abstract

Purpose: To determine the mean and range of volumetric glandular fraction (VGF) of the breast in a diagnostic population using a high-resolution flat-panel cone-beam dedicated breast CT system. This information is important for Monte Carlo-based estimation of normalized glandular dose coefficients and for investigating the dependence of VGF on breast dimensions, race, and pathology.

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Avice M. O'Connell, The Evolution and Future of Dedicated Breast CT, Breast Diseases: A Year Book Quarterly, Volume 23, Issue 2, 2012, Pages 131-133, ISSN 1043-321X, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.breastdis.2012.04.019.

Abstract

Breast computed tomography (CT) is not a new idea, but perhaps now its time has come. Recently, there has been renewed interest in this modality for a number of reasons. One reason is that 3-dimensional (3D) imaging of the breast has become the subject of great interest since the arrival on the scene of digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT), which allows for 3D reconstruction of tomographic images obtained as an extension of digital mammography. DBT was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in February 2011 and is now being introduced into many centers in the United States as well as in Europe and Canada.

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Yang X, Sechopoulos I, Fei B. Automatic Tissue Classification for High-resolution Breast CT Images Based on Bilateral Filtering. Proc SPIE Int Soc Opt Eng. 2011 Mar 14;7962:79623H. doi: 10.1117/12.877881. PMID: 24027608; PMCID: PMC3766982.

Avice M. O'Connell, David L. Conover, Chuen-Fu Linda Lin, Cone-Beam Computed Tomography for Breast Imaging, Journal of Radiology Nursing, Volume 28, Issue 1, 2009, Pages 3-11, ISSN 1546-0843, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jradnu.2008.12.003.

Abstract

This article reviews the many modalities used today in the screening and diagnostic work-up of breast cancer, the second most common cause of cancer (after skin cancer) and the second most common cause of cancer death (after lung cancer) in women in the United States today. Newer technologies in breast imaging are also described, in particular the Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) as developed at the University of Rochester Medical Center. CBCT is a three-dimensional imaging modality which has potential in the screening and diagnostic work-up of women who may have breast cancer. 

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