Quantitative measurement of optical parameters in the breast using time-resolved spectroscopy. Phantom and preliminary in vivo results.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES

Although many optical approaches have been investigated to diagnose breast cancers, optical parameters have never been standardized in phantom experiments; thus, the detectabilities in the various approaches could not be compared. The authors measured optical properties of the breast quantitatively using time-resolved reflectance spectroscopy to optimize the optical condition of the phantom.

METHODS

A time-correlated single-photon counting method was used to obtain time-response curves of a phantom and human breasts. The optical parameters were analyzed by fitting the curves to the diffusion equation.

RESULTS

The parameters could be quantified within approximately 10% error in the finite breast phantom. In vivo preliminary results showed significant individual differences.

CONCLUSIONS

The authors were able to measure the optical parameters quantitatively using time-resolved spectroscopy. This optical information will contribute to the investigation of photon migration in the breast.