Phase-insensitive Ultrasonic Computed Tomography of the Breast, V1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Phase-insensitive Ultrasonic Computed Tomography for the diagnosis of breast disease.
IRAS ID
166636
Contact name
Claire Doody
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
North Bristol NHS Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 4 months, 30 days
Research summary
X-ray mammography is the routine screening technique which is used to detect breast disease. It can however be subject to false positives, particularly for younger women with dense breasts, where it is difficult to distinguish between cancerous tissue, and naturally dense tissue. In these situations, ultrasound imaging provides a useful adjunct but this too has limitations as the passage of the ultrasound wave through breast tissue is modified by the different sound speeds of tissue which can affect the accuracy of the generated images. This project will test the ability of a new method of detecting ultrasound fields to generate improved images of the properties of whole breast tissue. The method involves immersing the whole breast within a water bath which is maintained close to body temperature. An ultrasound transducer (transmitter) will fire a beam through the tissue, and energy transmitted through the breast will be detected on the other side of the breast (using the novel receiver). By moving the transmitter and receiver across and around the breast the properties of the tissue, specifically the ultrasonic attenuation, will be reconstructed in terms of a 2D map. It is well established that malignant cancers are associated with higher values of attenuation, and the “map” will allow different tissue types to be distinguished in a way which should be much more repeatable than existing techniques and less liable to imaging errors. The aim of the project is to test the new imaging technology on a limited number of volunteers who have tested positive through conventional screening routes. The study should provide evidence that will demonstrate the potential of the new method as an operator independent, safe (as the tissue does not use ionising radiation), means of diagnosing breast disease.
REC name
South West - Cornwall & Plymouth Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/SW/0108
Date of REC Opinion
30 May 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion