Monte Carlo assessment of coded aperture tool for breast imaging: a Mura-mask case study

The main purpose of this work was to perform a rigorous computational study on scintimammography with a Mura-mask based on Monte Carlo simulation of voxelized breast phantoms. Three main objectives were addressed:(1) verification of Geant4 version 10.4,(2)optimization of the imaging setup, and(3) small tumor detection and localization. We successfully verified the Geant4-based imaging of a commonly used phantom in the field. We used a Mura-mask with a 41× 41 array pattern with adjustable thickness, material, and hole shape(box and cylinder);a low-energy high-resolution collimator with different hole shapes(cylinder and hexagon);and a voxelized breast phantom with different sizes(small, medium,and large) and glandularity percentages(low, medium, and high). We also compared the detector crystal outputs of CdZnTe and NaI(Tl). The simulation was followed by a deconvolution procedure, and the data(images) were statistically emphasized. Statistical metrics indicate that the Mura-mask(W material with 1.5 mm thickness and box holes) combined with a CdZnTe detector leads to the optimum point spread function. Finally, a preliminary study on small-sized tumor detection and localization was conducted with different tumor-to-background ratios(from2 to 12). Tumors with diameters of 5 and 8 mm could be detected, while those of 2 mm were undetectable. Nevertheless, this study enhances our understanding of the early detection of tumors in the field of scintimammography.