Zamir Anna, Arthurs Owen J, Hagen Charlotte K, Diemoz Paul C, Brochard Thierry, Bravin Alberto, Sebire Neil J, Olivo Alessandro
1 Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, University College London, London, UK.
2 Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, London UK.
Br J Radiol. 2016;89(1058):20150565. doi: 10.1259/bjr.20150565. Epub 2015 Nov 27.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
证明在死后仔猪模型中使用X射线相衬断层扫描评估内部器官的可行性，作为一种可能的非侵入性成像尸检技术。
使用位于同步加速器（法国格勒诺布尔欧洲同步辐射装置）的自由空间传播X射线相衬成像装置获取新生仔猪的断层图像。使用单色X射线束（52 keV），结合46×46 µm²的探测器像素尺寸。对所有投影应用相位恢复算法，然后使用滤波反投影算法将其重建为断层图像。评估图像的诊断质量。
通过自由空间传播装置获得的图像呈现出高软组织对比度和足以分辨器官结构的分辨率。所有主要身体器官（心脏、肺、肾脏、肝脏和肠道）都易于识别且显示清晰。此外，还显示了仍位于颅骨内的小脑灰质/白质分化。
已证明在动物模型中使用X射线相衬断层扫描作为尸检成像技术的可行性。未来的研究将集中于将该实验转化为基于实验室的装置。
适当的图像处理和分析能够在复杂、厚实样本的X射线相衬图像中同时可视化软组织和硬组织结构。
