Simulated Cystic Renal Lesions: Quantitative X-ray Phase-Contrast CT—An in Vitro Phantom Study

Results are presented of a recent experiment at the Imaging and Medical beamline of the Australian Synchrotron intended to contribute to the implementation of low-dose high-sensitivity three-dimensional mammographic phase-contrast imaging, initially at synchrotrons and subsequently in hospitals and medical imaging clinics. The effect of such imaging parameters as X-ray energy, source size, detector resolution, sample-to-detector distance, scanning and data processing strategies in the case of propagation-based phase-contrast computed tomography (CT) have been tested, quantified, evaluated and optimized using a plastic phantom simulating relevant breast-tissue characteristics. Analysis of the data collected using a Hamamatsu CMOS Flat Panel Sensor, with a pixel size of 100 µm, revealed the presence of propagation-based phase contrast and demonstrated significant improvement of the quality of phase-contrast CT imaging compared with conventional (absorption-based) CT, at medically acceptable radiation doses.

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Single spectrum three-material decomposition with grating-based x-ray phase-contrast CT

Physics in Medicine and Biology ◽

10.1088/1361-6560/ab9704 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 65 (18) ◽

pp. 185011

Author(s):

Eva-Maria Braig ◽

Daniela Pfeiffer ◽

Marian Willner ◽

Thorsten Sellerer ◽

Kirsten Taphorn ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Phase Contrast ◽

Material Decomposition ◽

Single Spectrum ◽

X Ray ◽

Contrast Ct

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Phase-contrast 3D tomography of HeLa cells grown in PLLA polymer electrospun scaffolds using synchrotron X-rays

Journal of Synchrotron Radiation ◽

10.1107/s1600577519015583 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 27 (1) ◽

pp. 158-163 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

A. Bhartiya ◽

K. Madi ◽

C. M. Disney ◽

L. Courtois ◽

A. Jupe ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cell Growth ◽

Hela Cells ◽

Phase Contrast ◽

Fiber Diameter ◽

Large Field ◽

X Rays ◽

Nondestructive Technique ◽

X Ray ◽

Electrospun Scaffolds

Advanced imaging is useful for understanding the three-dimensional (3D) growth of cells. X-ray tomography serves as a powerful noninvasive, nondestructive technique that can fulfill these purposes by providing information about cell growth within 3D platforms. There are a limited number of studies taking advantage of synchrotron X-rays, which provides a large field of view and suitable resolution to image cells within specific biomaterials. In this study, X-ray synchrotron radiation microtomography at Diamond Light Source and advanced image processing were used to investigate cellular infiltration of HeLa cells within poly L-lactide (PLLA) scaffolds. This study demonstrates that synchrotron X-rays using phase contrast is a useful method to understand the 3D growth of cells in PLLA electrospun scaffolds. Two different fiber diameter (2 and 4 µm) scaffolds with different pore sizes, grown over 2, 5 and 8 days in vitro, were examined for infiltration and cell connectivity. After performing visualization by segmentation of the cells from the fibers, the results clearly show deeper cell growth and higher cellular interconnectivity in the 4 µm fiber diameter scaffold. This indicates the potential for using such 3D technology to study cell–scaffold interactions for future medical use.

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Evaluation of phase-contrast CT of breast tissue at conventional X-ray sources – presentation of selected findings

Zeitschrift für Medizinische Physik ◽

10.1016/j.zemedi.2013.02.005 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 23 (3) ◽

pp. 212-221 ◽

Cited By ~ 25

Author(s):

Susanne Grandl ◽

Marian Willner ◽

Julia Herzen ◽

Doris Mayr ◽

Sigrid D. Auweter ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Phase Contrast ◽

Breast Tissue ◽

X Ray ◽

Contrast Ct

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Iterative reconstruction for few-view grating-based phase-contrast CT —An in vitro mouse model

EPL (Europhysics Letters) ◽

10.1209/0295-5075/102/48001 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 102 (4) ◽

pp. 48001 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

T. Gaass ◽

G. Potdevin ◽

M. Bech ◽

P. B. Noël ◽

M. Willner ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mouse Model ◽

Iterative Reconstruction ◽

Phase Contrast ◽

Contrast Ct

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Grating based X-ray phase contrast CT imaging with iterative reconstruction algorithm

Acta Physica Sinica ◽

10.7498/aps.66.054202 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 66 (5) ◽

pp. 054202

Author(s):

Qi Jun-Cheng ◽

Chen Rong-Chang ◽

Liu Bin ◽

Chen Ping ◽

Du Guo-Hao ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Iterative Reconstruction ◽

Phase Contrast ◽

Reconstruction Algorithm ◽

Ct Imaging ◽

X Ray ◽

Iterative Reconstruction Algorithm ◽

Contrast Ct

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Establishing sample-preparation protocols for X-ray phase-contrast CT of rodent spinal cords: Aldehyde fixations and osmium impregnation

Journal of Neuroscience Methods ◽

10.1016/j.jneumeth.2020.108744 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 339 ◽

pp. 108744 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Giacomo E. Barbone ◽

Alberto Bravin ◽

Alberto Mittone ◽

Markus J. Kraiger ◽

Martin Hrabě de Angelis ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sample Preparation ◽

Phase Contrast ◽

X Ray ◽

Osmium Impregnation ◽

Contrast Ct

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Grating-based phase-contrast CT (PCCT): histopathological correlation of human liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma specimen

Journal of Clinical Pathology ◽

10.1136/jclinpath-2019-206380 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 73 (8) ◽

pp. 483-487 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Melanie A Kimm ◽

Marian Willner ◽

Enken Drecoll ◽

Julia Herzen ◽

Peter B Noël ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Liver Cirrhosis ◽

Human Liver ◽

Phase Contrast ◽

X Ray ◽

Tissue Contrast ◽

Human Specimen ◽

Synchrotron Light ◽

Human Liver Cirrhosis ◽

Contrast Ct ◽

Signal Intensities

AimsTo correlate signal intensities in grating-based phase-contrast CT (PCCT) images obtained at a synchrotron light source and a conventional X-ray source with tissue components in human liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) specimen.MethodsStudy approval was obtained by the institutional review board. Human specimen of liver cirrhosis and HCC were imaged at experimental grating-based PCCT setups using either a synchrotron radiation source or a conventional X-ray tube. Tissue samples were sectioned and processed for H&E and Elastica van Gieson staining. PCCT and histological images were manually correlated. Depending on morphology and staining characteristics tissue components like fibrosis, HCC, inflammation, connective tissue and necrosis were differentiated and visually correlated with signal intensity in PCCT images using a 5-point Likert scale with normal liver parenchyma as a reference.ResultsGrating-based PCCT images of human cirrhotic liver and HCC specimen showed high soft-tissue contrast allowing correlation with histopathological sections. Signal intensities were similar in both setups independent of the nature of the radiation source. Connective tissue and areas of haemorrhage displayed the highest signal intensities, fibrotic liver tissue the lowest.ConclusionsGrating-based PCCT provides comparable results for the characterisation of human specimen of liver cirrhosis and HCC using either a synchrotron light source or a conventional X-ray tube. Due to its high soft-tissue contrast and its applicability to conventional X-ray tubes grating-based PCCT holds potential for preclinical research and virtual histology applications.

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