Abstract

We report the results of our initial analysis of the frequency-domain optical mammograms collected on a clinical population of 131 patients. The instrument for optical mammography employs four intensity-modulated (at 70 MHz) laser diodes emitting at 690, 750, 788, and 856 nm. The amplitude and phase images of the breast are combined to produce edge-corrected optical images at each of the four wavelengths. The one-wavelength (690 nm) edge-corrected images have been examined according to two different criteria for the assignment of positive optical mammograms. Criterion 1 requires both views of the breast to be positive, while criterion 2 requires at least one view to be positive. The resulting (sensitivity; specificity) was (72%; 52%) (criterion 1) and (88%; 30%) (criterion 2). We show how adding spectral information can improve on these results.

© 2000 Optical Society of America