Measurement of breast volume using body scan technology (computer-aided anthropometry)

• Published in: Work (Reading, Mass.) Vol. 41; no. S1; pp. 4038 - 4045
• Main Authors: Veitch, Daisy, Burford, Karen, Dench, Phil, Dean, Nicola, Griffin, Philip
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London, England SAGE Publications 2012
• Subjects: Anthropometry - methods; Breast - anatomy & histology; Female; Humans; Imaging, Three-Dimensional; Lasers; Organ Size; Software; computer-aided anthropometry; breast measurement; anthropometry; breast volume; 3D scanning
• ISSN: 1051-9815; 1875-9270
• DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0068-4038

Assessment of breast volume is an important tool for preoperative planning in various breast surgeries and other applications, such as bra development. Accurate assessment can improve the consistency and quality of surgery outcomes. This study outlines a non-invasive method to measure breast volume using a whole body 3D laser surface anatomy scanner, the Cyberware WBX. It expands on a previous publication where this method was validated against patients undergoing mastectomy. It specifically outlines and expands the computer-aided anthropometric (CAA) method for extracting breast volumes in a non-invasive way from patients enrolled in a breast reduction study at Flinders Medical Centre, South Australia. This step-bystep description allows others to replicate this work and provides an additional tool to assist them in their own clinical practice and development of designs.