Anna Zamir1, Owen J Arthurs2,3, Charlotte K Hagen1, Paul C Diemoz1, Thierry Brochard4, Alberto Bravin4, Neil J Sebire2,3, Alessandro Olivo1. 1. 1 Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, University College London, London, UK. 2. 2 Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, London UK. 3. 3 Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK. 4. 4 European Synchrotron Radiation Facility, Grenoble, France.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate the feasibility of using X-ray phase-contrast tomography to assess internal organs in a post-mortem piglet model, as a possible non-invasive imaging autopsy technique. METHODS: Tomographic images of a new-born piglet were obtained using a free-space propagation X-ray phase-contrast imaging setup at a synchrotron (European Synchrotron Radiation Facility, Grenoble, France). A monochromatic X-ray beam (52 keV) was used in combination with a detector pixel size of 46 × 46 µm(2). A phase-retrieval algorithm was applied to all projections, which were then reconstructed into tomograms using the filtered-back projection algorithm. Images were assessed for diagnostic quality. RESULTS: Images obtained with the free-space propagation setup presented high soft-tissue contrast and sufficient resolution for resolving organ structure. All of the main body organs (heart, lungs, kidneys, liver and intestines) were easily identified and adequately visualized. In addition, grey/white matter differentiation in the cerebellum while still contained within the skull was shown. CONCLUSION: The feasibility of using X-ray phase-contrast tomography as a post-mortem imaging technique in an animal model has been demonstrated. Future studies will focus on translating this experiment to a laboratory-based setup. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: Appropriate image processing and analysis enable the simultaneous visualization of both soft- and hard-tissue structures in X-ray phase-contrast images of a complex, thick sample.
OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate the feasibility of using X-ray phase-contrast tomography to assess internal organs in a post-mortem piglet model, as a possible non-invasive imaging autopsy technique. METHODS: Tomographic images of a new-born piglet were obtained using a free-space propagation X-ray phase-contrast imaging setup at a synchrotron (European Synchrotron Radiation Facility, Grenoble, France). A monochromatic X-ray beam (52 keV) was used in combination with a detector pixel size of 46 × 46 µm(2). A phase-retrieval algorithm was applied to all projections, which were then reconstructed into tomograms using the filtered-back projection algorithm. Images were assessed for diagnostic quality. RESULTS: Images obtained with the free-space propagation setup presented high soft-tissue contrast and sufficient resolution for resolving organ structure. All of the main body organs (heart, lungs, kidneys, liver and intestines) were easily identified and adequately visualized. In addition, grey/white matter differentiation in the cerebellum while still contained within the skull was shown. CONCLUSION: The feasibility of using X-ray phase-contrast tomography as a post-mortem imaging technique in an animal model has been demonstrated. Future studies will focus on translating this experiment to a laboratory-based setup. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: Appropriate image processing and analysis enable the simultaneous visualization of both soft- and hard-tissue structures in X-ray phase-contrast images of a complex, thick sample.
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