Algorithmic 3D simulation of breast calcifications for digital mammography

We present a framework for algorithmic three-dimensional simulation of brea st calcifications. The simulated calcifications can be viewed from any angl e at a higher spatial resolution than currently available for digital mammo graphy, and they can be placed onto a simulated or real mammographic backgr ound to provide example cases for computers and radiologists. In order to s imulate calcification clusters, we also show how to simulate duct networks and terminal ductal lobular units. We evaluated the model with a double-bli nd evaluation of 60 cases with four experienced radiologists by mixing 30 c ases of simulated calcification clusters on a real or simulated mammographi c background with 30 cases of real breast calcification clusters digitized at a spatial resolution of 15 mum from high-resolution radiographs of 5 mm slices of breast specimens. The results indicate that the majority of the 2 D projections of the 3D simulated calcifications compare favorably with the radiographic images of real breast calcifications. (C) 2001 Elsevier Scien ce Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.