| Aim: CT number (HU) and linear attenuation coefficient contain useful information which can be determined during usual CT scanning for the prediction of breast cancerous cells existence based on hemoglobin concentration.
Methods: This study used breast phantom containing major and minor vessels with diameters of 10 and 5 mm, respectively. The major vessels are filled by water, fat, hemoglobin (Hb) as a normal and 4× concentration of hemoglobin (4×Hb) as a cancerous breast cells, then scanned by single slice CT (GE, Hi Speed) 120 kVp, 100 mA for the determination of linear attenuation coefficient (µL).
Results: The CT numbers were for water (-7 to +7 HU), Hb (22±6 HU) and 4×Hb (80±4 HU). The difference between Hb and 4×Hb was significant (p <0.000). Minimum µL was 0.1190±0.00680 cm-1 for fat and maximum was 0.1449±0.00794 cm-1 for 4×Hb.
Conclusion: The study of CT number and linear attenuation coefficient of different concentration of Hb provides a possibility for early predicting of breast cancerous cells existence (4×Hb). |