Augmented reality for breast imaging

Minerva Chir. 2018 Jun;73(3):341-344. doi: 10.23736/S0026-4733.18.07659-9. Epub 2018 Feb 21.

Abstract

Augmented reality (AR) enables the superimposition of virtual reality reconstructions onto clinical images of a real patient, in real time. This allows visualization of internal structures through overlying tissues, thereby providing a virtual transparency vision of surgical anatomy. AR has been applied to neurosurgery, which utilizes a relatively fixed space, frames, and bony references; the application of AR facilitates the relationship between virtual and real data. Augmented breast imaging (ABI) is described. Breast MRI studies for breast implant patients with seroma were performed using a Siemens 3T system with a body coil and a four-channel bilateral phased-array breast coil as the transmitter and receiver, respectively. Gadolinium was injected as a contrast agent (0.1 mmol/kg at 2 mL/s) using a programmable power injector. Dicom formatted images data from 10 MRI cases of breast implant seroma and 10 MRI cases with T1-2 N0 M0 breast cancer, were imported and transformed into augmented reality images. ABI demonstrated stereoscopic depth perception, focal point convergence, 3D cursor use, and joystick fly-through. ABI can improve clinical outcomes, providing an enhanced view of the structures to work on. It should be further studied to determine its utility in clinical practice.

MeSH terms

  • Breast Implantation / adverse effects
  • Breast Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Breast Neoplasms / surgery
  • Computer Systems*
  • Contrast Media
  • Female
  • Gadolinium
  • Humans
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
  • Imaging, Three-Dimensional* / instrumentation
  • Imaging, Three-Dimensional* / methods
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / instrumentation
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods*
  • Multimodal Imaging / instrumentation
  • Multimodal Imaging / methods*
  • Seroma / diagnostic imaging
  • Seroma / etiology
  • Surgery, Computer-Assisted
  • Virtual Reality*

Substances

  • Contrast Media
  • Gadolinium