OBJECTIVES: X-ray computed tomography (CT) using phase contrast can provide images with greatly enhanced soft-tissue contrast in comparison to conventional attenuation-based CT. We report on the first scan of a human specimen recorded with a phase-contrast CT system based on an x-ray grating interferometer and a conventional x-ray tube source. Feasibility and potential applications of preclinical and clinical phase-contrast CT are discussed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A hand of an infant was scanned ex vivo at 40 kVp tube voltage. The simultaneously recorded attenuation and phase-contrast CT images were quantitatively compared with each other, by introducing a specific Hounsfield unit for phase-contrast imaging. RESULTS: We observe significantly enhanced soft-tissue contrast in the phase images, when compared with the attenuation data. Particularly, tendons and ligaments appear with strongly increased contrast-to-noise ratio. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate the huge potential of phase-contrast CT for clinical investigations of human specimens and, potentially, of humans. Because the applied technique works efficiently with conventional x-ray tubes and detectors, it is suitable for the realization of preclinical and clinical phase-contrast CT systems.
OBJECTIVES: X-ray computed tomography (CT) using phase contrast can provide images with greatly enhanced soft-tissue contrast in comparison to conventional attenuation-based CT. We report on the first scan of a human specimen recorded with a phase-contrast CT system based on an x-ray grating interferometer and a conventional x-ray tube source. Feasibility and potential applications of preclinical and clinical phase-contrast CT are discussed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A hand of an infant was scanned ex vivo at 40 kVp tube voltage. The simultaneously recorded attenuation and phase-contrast CT images were quantitatively compared with each other, by introducing a specific Hounsfield unit for phase-contrast imaging. RESULTS: We observe significantly enhanced soft-tissue contrast in the phase images, when compared with the attenuation data. Particularly, tendons and ligaments appear with strongly increased contrast-to-noise ratio. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate the huge potential of phase-contrast CT for clinical investigations of human specimens and, potentially, of humans. Because the applied technique works efficiently with conventional x-ray tubes and detectors, it is suitable for the realization of preclinical and clinical phase-contrast CT systems.
Authors: I Zanette; M Bech; A Rack; G Le Duc; P Tafforeau; C David; J Mohr; F Pfeiffer; T Weitkamp Journal: Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A Date: 2012-06-13 Impact factor: 11.205
Authors: Simon Rutishauser; Liubov Samoylova; Jacek Krzywinski; Oliver Bunk; Jan Grünert; Harald Sinn; Marco Cammarata; David M Fritz; Christian David Journal: Nat Commun Date: 2012-07-10 Impact factor: 14.919
Authors: Johannes Wolf; Jonathan I Sperl; Florian Schaff; Markus Schüttler; Andre Yaroshenko; Irene Zanette; Julia Herzen; Franz Pfeiffer Journal: Biomed Opt Express Date: 2015-11-12 Impact factor: 3.732
Authors: Arne Tapfer; Martin Bech; Astrid Velroyen; Jan Meiser; Jürgen Mohr; Marco Walter; Joachim Schulz; Bart Pauwels; Peter Bruyndonckx; Xuan Liu; Alexander Sasov; Franz Pfeiffer Journal: Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A Date: 2012-09-10 Impact factor: 11.205
Authors: S D Auweter; J Herzen; M Willner; S Grandl; K Scherer; F Bamberg; M F Reiser; F Pfeiffer; K Hellerhoff Journal: Br J Radiol Date: 2014-02 Impact factor: 3.039
Authors: Johannes Wolf; Andreas Malecki; Jonathan Sperl; Michael Chabior; Markus Schüttler; Dirk Bequé; Cristina Cozzini; Franz Pfeiffer Journal: Biomed Opt Express Date: 2014-09-29 Impact factor: 3.732
Authors: Benjamin M Yeh; Paul F FitzGerald; Peter M Edic; Jack W Lambert; Robert E Colborn; Michael E Marino; Paul M Evans; Jeannette C Roberts; Zhen J Wang; Margaret J Wong; Peter J Bonitatibus Journal: Adv Drug Deliv Rev Date: 2016-09-09 Impact factor: 15.470