Translation of Atherosclerotic Plaque Phase-Contrast CT Imaging from Synchrotron Radiation to a Conventional Lab-Based X-Ray Source
Saam T, Herzen J, Hetterich H, Fill S, Willner M, Stockmar M, Achterhold K, Zanette I, Weitkamp T, Schueller U, Auweter S, Adam-Neumair S, Nikolaou K, Reiser MF, Pfeiffer F, Bamberg F (2013)
Publication Type: Journal article
Publication year: 2013
Journal
Book Volume: 8
Article Number: e73513
Journal Issue: 9
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0073513
Abstract
Objectives:Phase-contrast imaging is a novel X-ray based technique that provides enhanced soft tissue contrast. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of visualizing human carotid arteries by grating-based phase-contrast tomography (PC-CT) at two different experimental set-ups: (i) applying synchrotron radiation and (ii) using a conventional X-ray tube.Materials and Methods:Five ex-vivo carotid artery specimens were examined with PC-CT either at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility using a monochromatic X-ray beam (2 specimens; 23 keV; pixel size 5.4μm), or at a laboratory set-up on a conventional X-ray tube (3 specimens; 35-40 kVp; 70 mA; pixel size 100 μm). Tomographic images were reconstructed and compared to histopathology. Two independent readers determined vessel dimensions and one reader determined signal-to-noise ratios (SNR) between PC-CT and absorption images.Results:In total, 51 sections were included in the analysis. Images from both set-ups provided sufficient contrast to differentiate individual vessel layers. All PCI-based measurements strongly predicted but significantly overestimated lumen, intima and vessel wall area for both the synchrotron and the laboratory-based measurements as compared with histology (all p<0.001 with slope >0.53 per mm2, 95%-CI: 0.35 to 0.70). Although synchrotron-based images were characterized by higher SNRs than laboratory-based images; both PC-CT set-ups had superior SNRs compared to corresponding conventional absorption-based images (p<0.001). Inter-reader reproducibility was excellent (ICCs >0.98 and >0.84 for synchrotron and for laboratory-based measurements; respectively).Conclusion:Experimental PC-CT of carotid specimens is feasible with both synchrotron and conventional X-ray sources, producing high-resolution images suitable for vessel characterization and atherosclerosis research. © 2013 Saam et al.
Involved external institutions
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU)
Germany (DE)
Technische Universität München (TUM)
Germany (DE)
European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF)
France (FR)
Synchrotron SOLEIL
France (FR)
Germany (DE)
Technische Universität München (TUM)
Germany (DE)
European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF)
France (FR)
Synchrotron SOLEIL
France (FR)
How to cite
APA:
Saam, T., Herzen, J., Hetterich, H., Fill, S., Willner, M., Stockmar, M.,... Bamberg, F. (2013). Translation of Atherosclerotic Plaque Phase-Contrast CT Imaging from Synchrotron Radiation to a Conventional Lab-Based X-Ray Source. PLoS ONE, 8(9). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0073513
MLA:
Saam, Tobias, et al. "Translation of Atherosclerotic Plaque Phase-Contrast CT Imaging from Synchrotron Radiation to a Conventional Lab-Based X-Ray Source." PLoS ONE 8.9 (2013).
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