Image Quality Comparison between Digital Breast Tomosynthesis Images and 2D Mammographic Images Using the CDMAM Test Object

To evaluate the image quality (IQ) of synthesized two-dimensional (s2D) and tomographic layer (TL) mammographic images in comparison to the 2D digital mammographic images produced with a new digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) system. Methods: The CDMAM test object was used for IQ evaluation of actual 2D images, s2D and TL images, acquired using all available acquisition modes. Evaluation was performed automatically using the commercial software that accompanied CDMAM. Results: The IQ scores of the TLs with the in-focus CDMAM were comparable, although usually inferior to those of 2D images acquired with the same acquisition mode, and better than the respective s2D images. The IQ results of TLs satisfied the EUREF limits applicable to 2D images, whereas for s2D images this was not the case. The use of high-dose mode (H-mode), instead of normal-dose mode (N-mode), increased the image quality of both TL and s2D images, especially when the standard mode (ST) was used. Although the high-resolution (HR) mode produced TL images of similar or better image quality compared to ST mode, HR s2D images were clearly inferior to ST s2D images. Conclusions: s2D images present inferior image quality compared to 2D and TL images. The HR mode produces TL images and s2D images with half the pixel size and requires a 25% increase in average glandular dose (AGD). Despite that, IQ evaluation results with CDMAM are in favor of HR resolution mode only for TL images and mainly for smaller-sized details.