Diagnostic Imaging
Diagnostic Imaging Research Programme (DIRP)
Presently DIRP has two foci: the clinical value of the low resolution CT image in SPECT-CT; optimisation of mammography breast imaging, with a particular emphasis on compression force.
Founded 18 months ago, low resolution CT in SPECT-CT brings together a multi-professional collaborative research team, with a particular emphasis on establishing the clinical value of the attenuation correction image associated with SPECT-CT. The team comprises of medical physicists, technologists, radiologists, nuclear medicine physicians and radiographers drawn from 6 clinical nuclear medicine centres and also academic staff from the University of Salford.
Also founded 18 months ago is the optimisation of mammography breast imaging, with a particular emphasis on compression force. This area is more advanced than low resolution CT. The team comprises of medical physicists and radiographers drawn from several clinical nuclear medicine centres and also academic staff from the University of Salford (including Radiography, Psychology, Occupational Therapy and Physics).
Cutting across low resolution CT and breast is a patient experience research theme. Generic to low resolution CT and breast is a core methodology skill set that seeks to optimise radiation dosimetry, image quality and lesion visibility. This skill set is important as it has value beyond these initial contexts.
Two Current PhD projects
The research is focused on the effects of practitioner variation on applied breast compression during mammography; with analysis of the effects that breast compression plays in the reduction of breast thickness and the impact on image quality. The initial research is centred on practitioner variation in mammography over a 6 year period in the NHS Breast Screening Programme; firstly in one screening centre and subsequently as a multi centre study.
Alongside this, the development of a breast phantom with simulated embedded breast lesions, will facilitate analysis of the implications of varying compression pressures on lesion visibility.
Linking the assessment of phantom image quality and the effects of practitioner variation will enable innovative analysis of image quality in the breast screening programme.
The research focuses on the low-resolution computed tomography (CT) image that is acquired as part of a hybrid technique in the field of nuclear medicine. These images are being evaluated in terms of their diagnostic suitability by measuring the combined performance of the diagnostic test and the image reader. This is being done using jack-knife alternative free-response receiver operating characteristic (JAFROC) methodology and some custom made software (www.rocview.net) that allows the display of images and the recording of reader responses. This methodology can also be applied to dose optimisation and lesion/fracture detection studies.
