DESIGN AND APPLICATION OF A THREE-DIMENSIONAL PRINTED ANTHROPOMORPHIC BREAST PHANTOM IN MAMMOGRAPHY - A REVIEW ARTICLE
DESIGN AND APPLICATION OF A THREE-DIMENSIONAL PRINTED ANTHROPOMORPHIC BREAST PHANTOM IN MAMMOGRAPHY - A REVIEW ARTICLE

Summary/Abstract: Although mammography serves as a key screening tool for early breast anomaly detection, its reliance on ionizing radiation requires dose minimization without compromising image integrity. The advent of 3D printing has enabled the creation of breast phantoms that closely replicate diverse tissue types, offering a valuable platform for refining mammographic techniques. This review consolidates existing research concerning the fabrication, structural design, and practical uses of these 3D-printed phantoms, specifically focusing on their capacity to replicate anatomical structures, physical tissue properties, and radiological characteristics. During the summer of 2026, English-language studies published between January 2016 and May 2026 were sourced through a search of the PubMed and Scopus databases. The review evaluated studies involving 3D printed anthropomorphic breast phantoms for mammography, applying predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria from the study. Eight studies met the criteria, illustrating diverse strategies for the design of these phantoms. The phantoms successfully reproduced anatomical structures, tissue attenuation properties, and radiographic textures. The modular design allowed insertion of lesions, microcalcifications, and iodine objects, improving the assessment of lesion detectability and system performance. Integration with observer models enabled objective assessment of image quality and prediction of human observer performance. 3D printed anthropomorphic breast phantoms provide a reliable, reproducible, and flexible platform for technical evaluation of mammography systems and dose optimization. Continued refinement of materials and modeling techniques will further improve tissue realism and diagnostic relevance

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