Visualization of microvasculature and thrombi by X-ray phase-contrast computed tomography in hepatocellular carcinoma

2016 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 600-605 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jianbo Jian ◽  
Hao Yang ◽  
Xinyan Zhao ◽  
Ruijiao Xuan ◽  
Yujie Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Computed Tomography ◽  
Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Phase Contrast ◽  
Soft Tissues ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Density Distributions ◽  
Fine Structures ◽  
Tumor Growth And Metastasis ◽  
Micrometer Scale

Visualization of the microvascular network and thrombi in the microvasculature is a key step to evaluating the development of tumor growth and metastasis, and influences treatment selection. X-ray phase-contrast computed tomography (PCCT) is a new imaging technique that can detect minute changes of density and reveal soft tissues discrimination at micrometer-scale resolution. In this study, six human resected hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissues were investigated with PCCT. A histological stain was added to estimate the accuracy of PCCT. The results showed that the fine structures of the microvasculature (measuring 30–100 µm) and thrombi in tiny blood vessels were displayed clearly on imaging the HCC tissues by PCCT. Moreover, density distributions of the thrombi were obtained, which could be reliably used to distinguish malignant from benign thrombi in HCC. In conclusion, PCCT can clearly show the three-dimensional subtle structures of HCC that cannot be detected by conventional absorption-based computed tomography and provides a new method for the imageology of HCC.

scholarly journals X-ray phase-contrast computed tomography visualizes the microstructure and degradation profile of implanted biodegradable scaffolds after spinal cord injury

2015 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 136-142 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenta Takashima ◽  
Masato Hoshino ◽  
Kentaro Uesugi ◽  
Naoto Yagi ◽  
Shojiro Matsuda ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Computed Tomography ◽  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Tissue Engineering ◽  
Phase Contrast ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Injured Spinal Cord ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Biodegradable Scaffolds ◽  
Cord Injury ◽  
Grating Interferometer

Tissue engineering strategies for spinal cord repair are a primary focus of translational medicine after spinal cord injury (SCI). Many tissue engineering strategies employ three-dimensional scaffolds, which are made of biodegradable materials and have microstructure incorporated with viable cells and bioactive molecules to promote new tissue generation and functional recovery after SCI. It is therefore important to develop an imaging system that visualizes both the microstructure of three-dimensional scaffolds and their degradation process after SCI. Here, X-ray phase-contrast computed tomography imaging based on the Talbot grating interferometer is described and it is shown how it can visualize the polyglycolic acid scaffold, including its microfibres, after implantation into the injured spinal cord. Furthermore, X-ray phase-contrast computed tomography images revealed that degradation occurred from the end to the centre of the braided scaffold in the 28 days after implantation into the injured spinal cord. The present report provides the first demonstration of an imaging technique that visualizes both the microstructure and degradation of biodegradable scaffolds in SCI research. X-ray phase-contrast imaging based on the Talbot grating interferometer is a versatile technique that can be used for a broad range of preclinical applications in tissue engineering strategies.

High-Resolution Radiography for Detecting and Measuring Micron-Scale Features

2004 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel H. Morse ◽  
Arlyn J. Antolak ◽  
Bernice E. Mills
Keyword(s):  
Computed Tomography ◽  
Composite Materials ◽  
Phase Contrast ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Conventional Radiography ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Micro Computed Tomography ◽  
Contrast Imaging ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Projection Radiography

X-ray radiography has long been recognized as a valuable tool for detecting internal features and flaws. Recent developments in microfabrication and composite materials have extended inspection requirements to the resolution limits of conventional radiography. Our work has been directed toward pushing both detection and measurement capabilities to a smaller scale. Until recently, we have used conventional contact radiography, optimized to resolve small features. With the recent purchase of a nano-focus (sub-micron) x-ray source, we are now investigating projection radiography, phase contrast imaging and micro-computed tomography (μ-CT). Projection radiography produces a magnified image that is limited in spatial resolution mainly by the source size, not by film grain size or detector pixel size. Under certain conditions phase contrast can increase the ability to resolve small features such as cracks, especially in materials with low absorption contrast. Micro-computed tomography can provide three-dimensional measurements on a micron scale and has been shown to provide better sensitivity than simple radiographs. We have included applications of these techniques to small-scale measurements not easily made by mechanical or optical means. Examples include void detection in meso-scale nickel MEMS parts, measurement of edge profiles in thick gold lithography masks, and characterization of the distribution of phases in composite materials. Our work, so far, has been limited to film.

Direct three-dimensional imaging for morphological analysis of electrospun fibers with laboratory-based Zernike X-ray phase-contrast computed tomography

2020 ◽  
Vol 115 ◽  
pp. 111045 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristine Santos de Oliveira ◽  
Adriana Trompetero González ◽  
Tobias Hedtke ◽  
Tobias Kürbitz ◽  
Andreas Heilmann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Computed Tomography ◽  
Phase Contrast ◽  
Morphological Analysis ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Electrospun Fibers ◽  
Three Dimensional Imaging ◽  
X Ray

scholarly journals Direct information retrieval after 3D reconstruction in grating-based X-ray phase-contrast computed tomography

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 1222-1228 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhao Wu ◽  
Kun Gao ◽  
Zhili Wang ◽  
Chenxi Wei ◽  
Faiz Wali ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Computed Tomography ◽  
Information Retrieval ◽  
Phase Contrast ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Large Field ◽  
Computational Time ◽  
Imaging Method ◽  
Phase Reconstruction ◽  
Phase Information ◽  
X Ray

Grating-based X-ray differential phase-contrast imaging has attracted a great amount of attention and has been considered as a potential imaging method in clinical medicine because of its compatibility with the traditional X-ray tube source and the possibility of a large field of view. Moreover, phase-contrast computed tomography provides three-dimensional phase-contrast visualization. Generally, two-dimensional information retrieval performed on every projection is required prior to three-dimensional reconstruction in phase-contrast computed tomography. In this paper, a three-dimensional information retrieval method to separate absorption and phase information directly from two reconstructed images is derived. Theoretical derivations together with numerical simulations have been performed to confirm the feasibility and veracity of the proposed method. The advantages and limitations compared with the reverse projection method are also discussed. Owing to the reduced data size and the absence of a logarithm operation, the computational time for information retrieval is shortened by the proposed method. In addition, the hybrid three-dimensional images of absorption and phase information were reconstructed using an absorption reconstruction algorithm, hence the existing data pre-processing methods and iterative reconstruction algorithms in absorption reconstruction may be utilized in phase reconstruction immediately.

scholarly journals Multiscale three-dimensional imaging of intact human organs down to the cellular scale using hierarchical phase-contrast tomography

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Walsh ◽  
P. Tafforeau ◽  
Willi L. Wagner ◽  
D. J. Jafree ◽  
A. Bellier ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Phase Contrast ◽  
Soft Tissues ◽  
Structural Information ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
High Energy ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Human Organs ◽  
Health And Disease ◽  
Functional Units ◽  
Phase Contrast Tomography

ABSTRACTHuman organs are complex, three-dimensional and multiscale systems. Spatially mapping the human body down through its hierarchy, from entire organs to their individual functional units and specialised cells, is a major obstacle to fully understanding health and disease. To meet this challenge, we developed hierarchical phase-contrast tomography (HiP-CT), an X-ray phase propagation technique utilising the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility’s Extremely Brilliant Source: the world’s first high-energy 4th generation X-ray source. HiP-CT enabled three-dimensional and non-destructive imaging at near-micron resolution in soft tissues at one hundred thousand times the voxel size whilst maintaining the organ’s structure. We applied HiP-CT to image five intact human parenchymal organs: brain, lung, heart, kidney and spleen. These were hierarchically assessed with HiP-CT, providing a structural overview of the whole organ alongside detail of the organ’s individual functional units and cells. The potential applications of HiP-CT were demonstrated through quantification and morphometry of glomeruli in an intact human kidney, and identification of regional changes to the architecture of the air-tissue interface and alveolar morphology in the lung of a deceased COVID-19 patient. Overall, we show that HiP-CT is a powerful tool which can provide a comprehensive picture of structural information for whole intact human organs, encompassing precise details on functional units and their constituent cells to better understand human health and disease.

scholarly journals Micro Soft Tissues Visualization Based on X-Ray Phase-Contrast Imaging

2011 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lu Zhang ◽  
Shuqian Luo
Keyword(s):  
Phase Contrast ◽  
Soft Tissues ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Blood Clot ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Three Dimensions ◽  
Phase Contrast Imaging ◽  
Contrast Imaging ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Non Invasive

The current imaging methods have a limited ability to visualize microstructures of biological soft tissues. Small lesions cannot be detected at the early stage of the disease. Phase contrast imaging (PCI) is a novel non-invasive imaging technique that can provide high contrast images of soft tissues by the use of X-ray phase shift. It is a new choice in terms of non-invasively revealing soft tissue details. In this study, the lung and hepatic fibrosis models of mice and rats were used to investigate the ability of PCI in microstructures observation of soft tissues. Our results demonstrated that different liver fibrosis stages could be distinguished non-invasively by PCI. The three-dimensional morphology of a segment of blood vessel was constructed. Noteworthy, the blood clot inside the vessel was visualized in three dimensions which provided a precise description of vessel stenosis. Furthermore, the whole lung airways including the alveoli were obtained. We had specifically highlighted its use in the visualization and assessment of the alveoli. To our knowledge, this was the first time for non-invasive alveoli imaging using PCI. This finding may offer a new perspective on the diagnosis of respiratory disease. All the results confirmed that PCI will be a valuable tool in biological soft tissues imaging.

Phase–contrast X–ray computed tomography for observing biological soft tissues

1996 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 473-475 ◽  
Author(s):  
Atsushi Momose ◽  
Tohoru Takeda ◽  
Yuji Itai ◽  
Keiichi Hirano
Keyword(s):  
Computed Tomography ◽  
Phase Contrast ◽  
Soft Tissues ◽  
X Ray ◽  
X Ray Computed

Three-dimensional visualization of fibrous tissues in cirrhotic rats via X-ray phase-contrast computed tomography with iodine staining

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 1354-1360
Author(s):  
Jianbo Jian ◽  
Xinyan Zhao ◽  
Lili Qin ◽  
Yuqing Zhao ◽  
Mengyu Sun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Computed Tomography ◽  
Phase Contrast ◽  
Structural Information ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Iodine Staining ◽  
Quantitative Measurements ◽  
Structural Details ◽  
3D Presentation ◽  
Histopathologic Findings

To accurately characterize cirrhosis, knowledge of the 3D fibrous structures is essential. Histology is the gold standard in cirrhosis screening, but it mainly provides structural information in 2D planes and destroys the 3D samples in the process. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of X-ray phase-contrast computed tomography (PCCT) with iodine staining for the 3D nondestructive visualization of internal structural details in entire cirrhotic livers with histopathologic correlation. In this study, cirrhotic livers induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) in rats were imaged via PCCT and then histopathologically processed. Characteristics of the cirrhosis, i.e. abnormal nodules surrounded by annular fibrosis, were established and a 3D reconstruction of these structures was also performed via PCCT. Fibrosis area, septal width and nodular size were measured and the correlation for these quantitative measurements between PCCT and histopathologic findings was analyzed. The results showed that fibrous bands, small nodules and angio-architecture in cirrhosis were clearly presented in the PCCT images, with histopathologic findings as standard reference. In comparison with histopathology, PCCT was associated with a very close value for fibrosis area, septal width and nodular size. The quantitative measurements showed a strong correlation between PCCT and histopathology. Additionally, the 3D structures of fibrous bands and microvasculature were presented simultaneously. PCCT provides excellent results in the assessment of cirrhosis characteristics and 3D presentation of these feature structures compared with histopathology. Thus, the technique may serve as an adjunct nondestructive 3D modality for cirrhosis characterization.

scholarly journals A minute fossil phoretic mite recovered by phase-contrast X-ray computed tomography

2011 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 457-460 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason A. Dunlop ◽  
Stefan Wirth ◽  
David Penney ◽  
Andrew McNeil ◽  
Robert S. Bradley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Computed Tomography ◽  
Phase Contrast ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Three Dimensional Model ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Extant Species ◽  
Minimum Age ◽  
X Ray Computed ◽  
Body Fossil

High-resolution phase-contrast X-ray computed tomography (CT) reveals the phoretic deutonymph of a fossil astigmatid mite (Acariformes: Astigmata) attached to a spider's carapace (Araneae: Dysderidae) in Eocene (44–49 Myr ago) Baltic amber. Details of appendages and a sucker plate were resolved, and the resulting three-dimensional model demonstrates the potential of tomography to recover morphological characters of systematic significance from even the tiniest amber inclusions without the need for a synchrotron. Astigmatids have an extremely sparse palaeontological record. We confirm one of the few convincing fossils, potentially the oldest record of Histiostomatidae. At 176 µm long, we believe this to be the smallest arthropod in amber to be CT-scanned as a complete body fossil, extending the boundaries for what can be recovered using this technique. We also demonstrate a minimum age for the evolution of phoretic behaviour among their deutonymphs, an ecological trait used by extant species to disperse into favourable environments. The occurrence of the fossil on a spider is noteworthy, as modern histiostomatids tend to favour other arthropods as carriers.

scholarly journals Quantitative Study of Loess Microstructure At Micrometer Scale Via X-Ray Computed Tomography

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Weina Yuan ◽  
Wen Fan
Keyword(s):  
Computed Tomography ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Orientation Angle ◽  
Transversely Isotropic ◽  
Pore Throat ◽  
Pore Connectivity ◽  
Spherical Coordinate ◽  
X Ray ◽  
X Ray Computed ◽  
Micrometer Scale

Abstract The macroscopic properties of loess are significantly controlled by its microstructure. Quantitative analysis of loess microstructure is essential for modeling the microstructure and further incorporating the microstructural effects into geotechnical practice. However, loess has a multi-scale microstructure ranging from nanometer to millimeter scales, and researches at the particle resolution are still inadequate. This study systematically investigates the micrometer-scale microstructure of loess from Jingyang, China, via X-ray computed tomography and the image segmentation method that was explored for loess. The statistical analyses of three-dimensional (3D) microstructure reveal that the particle size follows the Weibull distribution, and the distributions of pore and pore throat sizes obey the gamma distribution. Most particles are blade-shaped, with a peak length ratio of (1.53–1.64):1.28:1. The particles are oriented in the polar directions but not azimuthally, in a spherical coordinate system, exhibiting a transversely isotropic structure. The quantitative microstructures of the loess and paleosol samples were slightly different irrespective of the large aggregates developed in paleosol sample. Moreover, the representative elementary volume obtained through porosity is also applicable for the analysis of microstructural parameters such as size distribution, shape factor, orientation angle, and pore connectivity. Besides, the two-dimensional (2D) distributions of the particle, pore, and pore throat sizes agree with the 3D distributions, except that the former were marginally smaller. However, the 2D sectional analysis of shape, arrangement, and pore connectivity cannot adequately represent the 3D characteristics.

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