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Meloni A, Maffei E, Clemente A, De Gori C, Occhipinti M, Positano V, Berti S, La Grutta L, Saba L, Cau R, Bossone E, Mantini C, Cavaliere C, Punzo B, Celi S, Cademartiri F. Spectral Photon-Counting Computed Tomography: Technical Principles and Applications in the Assessment of Cardiovascular Diseases. J Clin Med 2024; 13:2359. [PMID: 38673632 PMCID: PMC11051476 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13082359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2024] [Revised: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Spectral Photon-Counting Computed Tomography (SPCCT) represents a groundbreaking advancement in X-ray imaging technology. The core innovation of SPCCT lies in its photon-counting detectors, which can count the exact number of incoming x-ray photons and individually measure their energy. The first part of this review summarizes the key elements of SPCCT technology, such as energy binning, energy weighting, and material decomposition. Its energy-discriminating ability represents the key to the increase in the contrast between different tissues, the elimination of the electronic noise, and the correction of beam-hardening artifacts. Material decomposition provides valuable insights into specific elements' composition, concentration, and distribution. The capability of SPCCT to operate in three or more energy regimes allows for the differentiation of several contrast agents, facilitating quantitative assessments of elements with specific energy thresholds within the diagnostic energy range. The second part of this review provides a brief overview of the applications of SPCCT in the assessment of various cardiovascular disease processes. SPCCT can support the study of myocardial blood perfusion and enable enhanced tissue characterization and the identification of contrast agents, in a manner that was previously unattainable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonella Meloni
- Bioengineering Unit, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (A.M.); (V.P.)
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (A.C.); (C.D.G.); (M.O.)
| | - Erica Maffei
- Department of Radiology, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico SYNLAB SDN, 80131 Naples, Italy; (E.M.); (C.C.); (B.P.)
| | - Alberto Clemente
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (A.C.); (C.D.G.); (M.O.)
| | - Carmelo De Gori
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (A.C.); (C.D.G.); (M.O.)
| | - Mariaelena Occhipinti
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (A.C.); (C.D.G.); (M.O.)
| | - Vicenzo Positano
- Bioengineering Unit, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (A.M.); (V.P.)
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (A.C.); (C.D.G.); (M.O.)
| | - Sergio Berti
- Diagnostic and Interventional Cardiology Department, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, 54100 Massa, Italy;
| | - Ludovico La Grutta
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital “P. Giaccone”, 90127 Palermo, Italy;
| | - Luca Saba
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital of Cagliari, 09042 Monserrato (CA), Italy; (L.S.); (R.C.)
| | - Riccardo Cau
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital of Cagliari, 09042 Monserrato (CA), Italy; (L.S.); (R.C.)
| | - Eduardo Bossone
- Department of Cardiology, Ospedale Cardarelli, 80131 Naples, Italy;
| | - Cesare Mantini
- Department of Radiology, “G. D’Annunzio” University, 66100 Chieti, Italy;
| | - Carlo Cavaliere
- Department of Radiology, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico SYNLAB SDN, 80131 Naples, Italy; (E.M.); (C.C.); (B.P.)
| | - Bruna Punzo
- Department of Radiology, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico SYNLAB SDN, 80131 Naples, Italy; (E.M.); (C.C.); (B.P.)
| | - Simona Celi
- BioCardioLab, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, 54100 Massa, Italy;
| | - Filippo Cademartiri
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (A.C.); (C.D.G.); (M.O.)
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Ibrahim YO, Maalej N, Masood Pirzada B, Younis Raja A, Anjum DH, Jan N, Behouch A, Ul Haq Qurashi A. Gold nanoparticles spectral CT imaging and limit of detectability in a new materials contrast-detail phantom. Phys Med 2024; 120:103326. [PMID: 38493584 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmp.2024.103326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Revised: 01/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
This study involves the synthesis, characterization, and spectral photon counting CT (SPCCT) imaging of gold nanoparticles tailored for enhancing the contrast of small cancer lesions. We used the modified Turkevich method to produce thiol-capped gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) at different concentrations (20, 15, 10, 5, 2.5, 1.25, 0.6 mg/ml). We thoroughly characterized the AuNPs using Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD), Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), and UV-visible absorption spectroscopy. To assess the AuNPs contrast enhancing performance, we designed and built a new material contrast detail phantom for CT imaging and determined the minimum detectable concentrations of AuNPs in simulated lesions of small diameters (1, 2, 3, and 5 mm). The synthesized AuNPs are spherical with an average size of approximately 20 ± 4 nm, with maximum UV absorption occurring at 527 nm wavelength, and exhibit a face-centered cubic structure of gold according to XRD analysis. The synthesized gold nanoparticles demonstrated high contrast in SPCCT, suggesting their potential as contrast agents for imaging cancer tissues. The AuNPs image contrast was directly proportional to the AuNPs concentration. We are the first to determine that the lowest visually distinguishable contrast was achieved at a gold concentration of 5 mg/ml for a 2 mm simulated lesion. For 1 mm size lesion the smallest visible concentration was 10 mg/ml. This newly developed phantom can be used for determining the minimal concentration required for various high-Z nanoparticles to produce detectable contrast in X-ray imaging for small-size simulated lesions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yusuf O Ibrahim
- Department of Physics, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 127788, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; Advanced Materials Chemistry Centre (AMCC), Khalifa University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 127788, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; Functional Biomaterials Group, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 127788, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
| | - Nabil Maalej
- Department of Physics, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 127788, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; Functional Biomaterials Group, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 127788, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; Healthcare Engineering Innovation Group (HEIG), Khalifa University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 127788, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
| | - Bilal Masood Pirzada
- Department of Chemistry, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 127788, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; Advanced Materials Chemistry Centre (AMCC), Khalifa University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 127788, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
| | - Aamir Younis Raja
- Department of Physics, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 127788, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
| | - Dalaver H Anjum
- Department of Physics, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 127788, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
| | - Nila Jan
- Department of Physics, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 127788, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
| | - Abderaouf Behouch
- Department of Physics, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 127788, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Ahsan Ul Haq Qurashi
- Department of Chemistry, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 127788, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; Advanced Materials Chemistry Centre (AMCC), Khalifa University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 127788, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
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3
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Richtsmeier D, Rodesch PA, Iniewski K, Bazalova-Carter M. Material decomposition with a prototype photon-counting detector CT system: expanding a stoichiometric dual-energy CT method via energy bin optimization and K-edge imaging. Phys Med Biol 2024; 69:055001. [PMID: 38306974 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6560/ad25c8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/04/2024]
Abstract
Objective.Computed tomography (CT) has advanced since its inception, with breakthroughs such as dual-energy CT (DECT), which extracts additional information by acquiring two sets of data at different energies. As high-flux photon-counting detectors (PCDs) become available, PCD-CT is also becoming a reality. PCD-CT can acquire multi-energy data sets in a single scan by spectrally binning the incident x-ray beam. With this, K-edge imaging becomes possible, allowing high atomic number (high-Z) contrast materials to be distinguished and quantified. In this study, we demonstrated that DECT methods can be converted to PCD-CT systems by extending the method of Bourqueet al(2014). We optimized the energy bins of the PCD for this purpose and expanded the capabilities by employing K-edge subtraction imaging to separate a high-atomic number contrast material.Approach.The method decomposes materials into their effective atomic number (Zeff) and electron density relative to water (ρe). The model was calibrated and evaluated using tissue-equivalent materials from the RMI Gammex electron density phantom with knownρevalues and elemental compositions. TheoreticalZeffvalues were found for the appropriate energy ranges using the elemental composition of the materials.Zeffvaried slightly with energy but was considered a systematic error. Anex vivobovine tissue sample was decomposed to evaluate the model further and was injected with gold chloride to demonstrate the separation of a K-edge contrast agent.Main results.The mean root mean squared percent errors on the extractedZeffandρefor PCD-CT were 0.76% and 0.72%, respectively and 1.77% and 1.98% for DECT. The tissue types in theex vivobovine tissue sample were also correctly identified after decomposition. Additionally, gold chloride was separated from theex vivotissue sample with K-edge imaging.Significance.PCD-CT offers the ability to employ DECT material decomposition methods, along with providing additional capabilities such as K-edge imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devon Richtsmeier
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Victoria, 3800 Finnerty Road, Victoria, British Columbia V8P 5C2, Canada
| | - Pierre-Antoine Rodesch
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Victoria, 3800 Finnerty Road, Victoria, British Columbia V8P 5C2, Canada
| | - Kris Iniewski
- Redlen Techologies, 1763 Sean Heights, Saanichton, British Columbia V8M 1X6, Canada
| | - Magdalena Bazalova-Carter
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Victoria, 3800 Finnerty Road, Victoria, British Columbia V8P 5C2, Canada
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Cuau L, Akl P, Gautheron A, Houmeau A, Chaput F, Yaromina A, Dubois L, Lambin P, Karpati S, Parola S, Rezaeifar B, Langlois JB, Si-Mohamed SA, Montcel B, Douek P, Lerouge F. Surface modification effect on contrast agent efficiency for X-ray based spectral photon-counting scanner/luminescence imaging: from fundamental study to in vivo proof of concept. NANOSCALE 2024; 16:2931-2944. [PMID: 38230699 DOI: 10.1039/d3nr03710j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
X-Ray imaging techniques are among the most widely used modalities in medical imaging and their constant evolution has led to the emergence of new technologies. The new generation of computed tomography (CT) systems - spectral photonic counting CT (SPCCT) and X-ray luminescence optical imaging - are examples of such powerful techniques. With these new technologies the rising demand for new contrast agents has led to extensive research in the field of nanoparticles and the possibility to merge the modalities appears to be highly attractive. In this work, we propose the design of lanthanide-based nanocrystals as a multimodal contrast agent with the two aforementioned technologies, allowing SPCCT and optical imaging at the same time. We present a systematic study on the effect of the Tb3+ doping level and surface modification on the generation of contrast with SPCCT and the luminescence properties of GdF3:Tb3+ nanocrystals (NCs), comparing different surface grafting with organic ligands and coatings with silica to make these NCs bio-compatible. A comparison of the luminescence properties of these NCs with UV revealed that the best results were obtained for the Gd0.9Tb0.1F3 composition. This property was confirmed under X-ray excitation in microCT and with SPCCT. Moreover, we could demonstrate that the intensity of the luminescence and the excited state lifetime are strongly affected by the surface modification. Furthermore, whatever the chemical nature of the ligand, the contrast with SPCCT did not change. Finally, the successful proof of concept of multimodal imaging was performed in vivo with nude mice in the SPCCT taking advantage of the so-called color K-edge imaging method.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loic Cuau
- Université de Lyon, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, CNRS UMR 5182, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Laboratoire de Chimie, 46 allée d'Italie, F69364 Lyon, France.
| | - Pia Akl
- Université de Lyon, INSA-Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, UJM-Saint Etienne, CNRS, Inserm, CREATIS UMR 5220, U1294, F-69621, Lyon, France
- Department of Radiology, Hospices Civils de Lyon, 69500 Bron, France
| | - A Gautheron
- Université de Lyon, INSA-Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, UJM-Saint Etienne, CNRS, Inserm, CREATIS UMR 5220, U1294, F-69621, Lyon, France
- Université Jean Monnet Saint-Etienne, CNRS, Institut d'Optique Graduate School, Laboratoire Hubert Curien UMR 5516, F-42023, Saint-Etienne, France
| | - Angèle Houmeau
- Université de Lyon, INSA-Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, UJM-Saint Etienne, CNRS, Inserm, CREATIS UMR 5220, U1294, F-69621, Lyon, France
| | - Frédéric Chaput
- Université de Lyon, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, CNRS UMR 5182, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Laboratoire de Chimie, 46 allée d'Italie, F69364 Lyon, France.
| | - Ala Yaromina
- Department of Precision Medicine, The M-Lab, GROW - School of Oncology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, 6200, MD, The Netherlands
| | - Ludwig Dubois
- Department of Precision Medicine, The M-Lab, GROW - School of Oncology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, 6200, MD, The Netherlands
| | - Philippe Lambin
- Department of Precision Medicine, The M-Lab, GROW - School of Oncology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, 6200, MD, The Netherlands
| | - Szilvia Karpati
- Université de Lyon, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, CNRS UMR 5182, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Laboratoire de Chimie, 46 allée d'Italie, F69364 Lyon, France.
| | - Stephane Parola
- Université de Lyon, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, CNRS UMR 5182, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Laboratoire de Chimie, 46 allée d'Italie, F69364 Lyon, France.
| | - B Rezaeifar
- Department of Precision Medicine, The M-Lab, GROW - School of Oncology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, 6200, MD, The Netherlands
- Research group NuTeC, Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | | | - Salim A Si-Mohamed
- Université de Lyon, INSA-Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, UJM-Saint Etienne, CNRS, Inserm, CREATIS UMR 5220, U1294, F-69621, Lyon, France
- Department of Radiology, Hospices Civils de Lyon, 69500 Bron, France
| | - Bruno Montcel
- Université de Lyon, INSA-Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, UJM-Saint Etienne, CNRS, Inserm, CREATIS UMR 5220, U1294, F-69621, Lyon, France
| | - Philippe Douek
- Université de Lyon, INSA-Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, UJM-Saint Etienne, CNRS, Inserm, CREATIS UMR 5220, U1294, F-69621, Lyon, France
- Department of Radiology, Hospices Civils de Lyon, 69500 Bron, France
| | - Frederic Lerouge
- Université de Lyon, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, CNRS UMR 5182, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Laboratoire de Chimie, 46 allée d'Italie, F69364 Lyon, France.
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Lahoud E, Zaffrani Y, Yagil Y. Photon counting x-ray detectors as scatter probes. Med Phys 2024; 51:93-102. [PMID: 38043090 DOI: 10.1002/mp.16871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Direct conversion x-ray Photon Counting Detectors (PCD) are posed to play a vital role in future medical imaging devices such as Computed Tomography (CT) scanners. PCD are expected to improve current CT technology on several fronts, such as resolution, dose utilization, and spectral performance. However, they are not readily expected to improve the handling of object scatter, one of the major sources of image artifacts in CT technology. PURPOSE We explore a potential method for obtaining in-situ object scatter estimation using the same PCD array used in the x-ray imaging system, such as in computed tomography. This unexpected benefit of using PCD has the potential to improve the image quality by providing better input into the scatter estimation and correction algorithms used in image reconstruction. METHODS In CT scanners the primary method for rejecting scatter signal originating from the scanned object relies on placing anti-scatter grids (ASG) close to the detector plane. This remains the case when transitioning to using PCD instead of energy integration detectors in CT. However, the combination of PCD and ASG opens a possibility to use some of the unique properties of PCD, namely, very low noise and coincidence counters to obtain, in addition to the attenuation data, a simultaneous and instantaneous estimate of the scatter signal reaching every detector element. When a small air gap is introduced between the ASG and the detector surface, the scatter radiation with large angular distribution has a greater probability of producing charge sharing events that can be detected by a coincidence counter. In this work we demonstrate the feasibility of such an approach in a tabletop experiment using PCD detector that lacks coincidence counting capability, instead we use the spectral signature of split charge events as proxy to coincidence counting. For this purpose, we first demonstrate the spectral impact of ASG misalignment using the same experimental setup. In addition, we perform a separate tabletop scattering experiment from a narrow column of water that demonstrates another potential use of the low noise capabilities of PCDs. RESULTS We measured and quantified the high sensitivity of the spectral response to ASG alignment on the PCD detector pixel array, we found that the probability of energy misregistration of 60 keV photons can increase by up to a factor of 3 when the ASG is poorly aligned. We then leveraged these results to obtain an estimate on the expected increase in coincidence counts for a wide range of scatter-to-primary (SPR) ratio and find a good match with expectations from a geometric modeling of the system, where the expected increase in coincidences was of the order of the SPR. Finally, the low noise detector also allowed us to measure the real space scatter signal associated with the coherent molecular form factor of water, revealing the ring-shaped scatter signal with an energy dependent distribution that was well captured by calculation. CONCLUSIONS The advent of PCD detectors and their imminent use in commercial CT scanners opens new and exciting possibilities for utilizing PCD detectors in unexpected ways. In this proof-of-concept study, we showed how charge sharing, a spectral information degrading effect, can instead be used to obtain in-situ scatter estimation. We also demonstrated the PCD ability to perform extremely sensitive measurements using affordable benchtop setup for investigations normally reserved for synchrotron facilities.
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Horst KK, Yu L, McCollough CH, Esquivel A, Thorne JE, Rajiah PS, Baffour F, Hull NC, Weber NM, Thacker PG, Thomas KB, Binkovitz LA, Guerin JB, Fletcher JG. Potential benefits of photon counting detector computed tomography in pediatric imaging. Br J Radiol 2023; 96:20230189. [PMID: 37750939 PMCID: PMC10646626 DOI: 10.1259/bjr.20230189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Photon counting detector (PCD) CT represents the newest advance in CT technology, with improved radiation dose efficiency, increased spatial resolution, inherent spectral imaging capabilities, and the ability to eliminate electronic noise. Its design fundamentally differs from conventional energy integrating detector CT because photons are directly converted to electrical signal in a single step. Rather than converting X-rays to visible light and having an output signal that is a summation of energies, PCD directly counts each photon and records its individual energy information. The current commercially available PCD-CT utilizes a dual-source CT geometry, which allows 66 ms cardiac temporal resolution and high-pitch (up to 3.2) scanning. This can greatly benefit pediatric patients by facilitating high quality fast scanning to allow sedation-free imaging. The energy-resolving nature of the utilized PCDs allows "always-on" dual-energy imaging capabilities, such as the creation of virtual monoenergetic, virtual non-contrast, virtual non-calcium, and other material-specific images. These features may be combined with high-resolution imaging, made possible by the decreased size of individual detector elements and the absence of interelement septa. This work reviews the foundational concepts associated with PCD-CT and presents examples to highlight the benefits of PCD-CT in the pediatric population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly K. Horst
- Pediatric Radiology Division, Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, United States
| | - Lifeng Yu
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, United States
| | | | - Andrea Esquivel
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, United States
| | | | | | - Francis Baffour
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, United States
| | - Nathan C. Hull
- Pediatric Radiology Division, Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, United States
| | | | - Paul G. Thacker
- Pediatric Radiology Division, Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, United States
| | - Kristen B. Thomas
- Pediatric Radiology Division, Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, United States
| | - Larry A. Binkovitz
- Pediatric Radiology Division, Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, United States
| | - Julie B. Guerin
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, United States
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Gil CJ, Evans CJ, Li L, Allphin AJ, Tomov ML, Jin L, Vargas M, Hwang B, Wang J, Putaturo V, Kabboul G, Alam AS, Nandwani RK, Wu Y, Sushmit A, Fulton T, Shen M, Kaiser JM, Ning L, Veneziano R, Willet N, Wang G, Drissi H, Weeks ER, Bauser-Heaton HD, Badea CT, Roeder RK, Serpooshan V. Leveraging 3D Bioprinting and Photon-Counting Computed Tomography to Enable Noninvasive Quantitative Tracking of Multifunctional Tissue Engineered Constructs. Adv Healthc Mater 2023; 12:e2302271. [PMID: 37709282 PMCID: PMC10842604 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202302271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
3D bioprinting is revolutionizing the fields of personalized and precision medicine by enabling the manufacturing of bioartificial implants that recapitulate the structural and functional characteristics of native tissues. However, the lack of quantitative and noninvasive techniques to longitudinally track the function of implants has hampered clinical applications of bioprinted scaffolds. In this study, multimaterial 3D bioprinting, engineered nanoparticles (NPs), and spectral photon-counting computed tomography (PCCT) technologies are integrated for the aim of developing a new precision medicine approach to custom-engineer scaffolds with traceability. Multiple CT-visible hydrogel-based bioinks, containing distinct molecular (iodine and gadolinium) and NP (iodine-loaded liposome, gold, methacrylated gold (AuMA), and Gd2 O3 ) contrast agents, are used to bioprint scaffolds with varying geometries at adequate fidelity levels. In vitro release studies, together with printing fidelity, mechanical, and biocompatibility tests identified AuMA and Gd2 O3 NPs as optimal reagents to track bioprinted constructs. Spectral PCCT imaging of scaffolds in vitro and subcutaneous implants in mice enabled noninvasive material discrimination and contrast agent quantification. Together, these results establish a novel theranostic platform with high precision, tunability, throughput, and reproducibility and open new prospects for a broad range of applications in the field of precision and personalized regenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen J. Gil
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Emory University School of Medicine and Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Connor J. Evans
- Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, Bioengineering Graduate Program, Materials Science and Engineering Graduate Program, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, United States
| | - Lan Li
- Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, Bioengineering Graduate Program, Materials Science and Engineering Graduate Program, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, United States
| | - Alex J. Allphin
- Quantitative Imaging and Analysis Lab, Department of Radiology, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Martin L. Tomov
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Emory University School of Medicine and Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Linqi Jin
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Emory University School of Medicine and Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Merlyn Vargas
- Department of Bioengineering, George Mason University, Manassas, VA, United States
| | - Boeun Hwang
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Emory University School of Medicine and Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Physics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Victor Putaturo
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Emory University School of Medicine and Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Gabriella Kabboul
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Emory University School of Medicine and Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Anjum S. Alam
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Roshni K. Nandwani
- Emory University College of Arts and Sciences, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Yuxiao Wu
- Emory University College of Arts and Sciences, Atlanta, GA, United States
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Asif Sushmit
- Biomedical Imaging Center, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, United States
| | - Travis Fulton
- Research Service, VA Medical Center, Decatur, GA, United States
- Department of Orthopedics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Ming Shen
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Jarred M. Kaiser
- Research Service, VA Medical Center, Decatur, GA, United States
- Department of Orthopedics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Liqun Ning
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Emory University School of Medicine and Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Cleveland State University, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Remi Veneziano
- Department of Bioengineering, George Mason University, Manassas, VA, United States
| | - Nick Willet
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Emory University School of Medicine and Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Research Service, VA Medical Center, Decatur, GA, United States
- Department of Orthopedics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Ge Wang
- Biomedical Imaging Center, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, United States
| | - Hicham Drissi
- Research Service, VA Medical Center, Decatur, GA, United States
- Department of Orthopedics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Atlanta Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Decatur, GA, United States
| | - Eric R. Weeks
- Department of Physics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Holly D. Bauser-Heaton
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Emory University School of Medicine and Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Sibley Heart Center at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Cristian T. Badea
- Quantitative Imaging and Analysis Lab, Department of Radiology, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Ryan K. Roeder
- Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, Bioengineering Graduate Program, Materials Science and Engineering Graduate Program, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, United States
| | - Vahid Serpooshan
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Emory University School of Medicine and Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, United States
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8
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Nehra AK, Dane B, Yeh BM, Fletcher JG, Leng S, Mileto A. Dual-Energy, Spectral and Photon Counting Computed Tomography for Evaluation of the Gastrointestinal Tract. Radiol Clin North Am 2023; 61:1031-1049. [PMID: 37758355 DOI: 10.1016/j.rcl.2023.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
The use of dual-energy computed tomography (CT) allows for reconstruction of energy- and material-specific image series. The combination of low-energy monochromatic images, iodine maps, and virtual unenhanced images can improve lesion detection and disease characterization in the gastrointestinal tract in comparison with single-energy CT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Avinash K Nehra
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street Southwest, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
| | - Bari Dane
- Department of Radiology, New York University Langone Medical Center, 550 First Avenue, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Benjamin M Yeh
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California, 505 Parnassus Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Joel G Fletcher
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street Southwest, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Shuai Leng
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street Southwest, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Achille Mileto
- Department of Radiology, Virginia Mason Medical Center, 1100 9th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98101, USA
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9
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Douek PC, Boccalini S, Oei EHG, Cormode DP, Pourmorteza A, Boussel L, Si-Mohamed SA, Budde RPJ. Clinical Applications of Photon-counting CT: A Review of Pioneer Studies and a Glimpse into the Future. Radiology 2023; 309:e222432. [PMID: 37787672 PMCID: PMC10623209 DOI: 10.1148/radiol.222432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2022] [Revised: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
CT systems equipped with photon-counting detectors (PCDs), referred to as photon-counting CT (PCCT), are beginning to change imaging in several subspecialties, such as cardiac, vascular, thoracic, and musculoskeletal radiology. Evidence has been building in the literature underpinning the many advantages of PCCT for different clinical applications. These benefits derive from the distinct features of PCDs, which are made of semiconductor materials capable of converting photons directly into electric signal. PCCT advancements include, among the most important, improved spatial resolution, noise reduction, and spectral properties. PCCT spatial resolution on the order of 0.25 mm allows for the improved visualization of small structures (eg, small vessels, arterial walls, distal bronchi, and bone trabeculations) and their pathologies, as well as the identification of previously undetectable anomalies. In addition, blooming artifacts from calcifications, stents, and other dense structures are reduced. The benefits of the spectral capabilities of PCCT are broad and include reducing radiation and contrast material dose for patients. In addition, multiple types of information can be extracted from a single data set (ie, multiparametric imaging), including quantitative data often regarded as surrogates of functional information (eg, lung perfusion). PCCT also allows for a novel type of CT imaging, K-edge imaging. This technique, combined with new contrast materials specifically designed for this modality, opens the door to new applications for imaging in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Edwin H. G. Oei
- From the University of Lyon, INSA-Lyon, Claude Bernard Lyon 1
University, UJM-Saint Etienne, CNRS, Inserm, Villeurbanne, France (P.C.D., L.B.,
S.A.S.M.); Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Radiology, Louis Pradel
Hospital, Hospices Civils de Lyon, 59 Boulevard Pinel, 69500 Bron, France
(P.C.D., S.B., L.B., S.A.S.M.); Claude Bernard Lyon 1 University, Villeurbanne,
France (S.B.); Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus Medical
Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands (E.H.G.O., R.P.J.B.); Department of
Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa (D.P.C.); Department of
Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, Ga (A.P.); Department
of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Ga (A.P.);
and Winship Cancer Institute, Atlanta, Ga (A.P.)
| | - David P. Cormode
- From the University of Lyon, INSA-Lyon, Claude Bernard Lyon 1
University, UJM-Saint Etienne, CNRS, Inserm, Villeurbanne, France (P.C.D., L.B.,
S.A.S.M.); Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Radiology, Louis Pradel
Hospital, Hospices Civils de Lyon, 59 Boulevard Pinel, 69500 Bron, France
(P.C.D., S.B., L.B., S.A.S.M.); Claude Bernard Lyon 1 University, Villeurbanne,
France (S.B.); Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus Medical
Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands (E.H.G.O., R.P.J.B.); Department of
Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa (D.P.C.); Department of
Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, Ga (A.P.); Department
of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Ga (A.P.);
and Winship Cancer Institute, Atlanta, Ga (A.P.)
| | - Amir Pourmorteza
- From the University of Lyon, INSA-Lyon, Claude Bernard Lyon 1
University, UJM-Saint Etienne, CNRS, Inserm, Villeurbanne, France (P.C.D., L.B.,
S.A.S.M.); Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Radiology, Louis Pradel
Hospital, Hospices Civils de Lyon, 59 Boulevard Pinel, 69500 Bron, France
(P.C.D., S.B., L.B., S.A.S.M.); Claude Bernard Lyon 1 University, Villeurbanne,
France (S.B.); Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus Medical
Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands (E.H.G.O., R.P.J.B.); Department of
Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa (D.P.C.); Department of
Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, Ga (A.P.); Department
of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Ga (A.P.);
and Winship Cancer Institute, Atlanta, Ga (A.P.)
| | - Loic Boussel
- From the University of Lyon, INSA-Lyon, Claude Bernard Lyon 1
University, UJM-Saint Etienne, CNRS, Inserm, Villeurbanne, France (P.C.D., L.B.,
S.A.S.M.); Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Radiology, Louis Pradel
Hospital, Hospices Civils de Lyon, 59 Boulevard Pinel, 69500 Bron, France
(P.C.D., S.B., L.B., S.A.S.M.); Claude Bernard Lyon 1 University, Villeurbanne,
France (S.B.); Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus Medical
Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands (E.H.G.O., R.P.J.B.); Department of
Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa (D.P.C.); Department of
Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, Ga (A.P.); Department
of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Ga (A.P.);
and Winship Cancer Institute, Atlanta, Ga (A.P.)
| | - Salim A. Si-Mohamed
- From the University of Lyon, INSA-Lyon, Claude Bernard Lyon 1
University, UJM-Saint Etienne, CNRS, Inserm, Villeurbanne, France (P.C.D., L.B.,
S.A.S.M.); Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Radiology, Louis Pradel
Hospital, Hospices Civils de Lyon, 59 Boulevard Pinel, 69500 Bron, France
(P.C.D., S.B., L.B., S.A.S.M.); Claude Bernard Lyon 1 University, Villeurbanne,
France (S.B.); Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus Medical
Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands (E.H.G.O., R.P.J.B.); Department of
Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa (D.P.C.); Department of
Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, Ga (A.P.); Department
of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Ga (A.P.);
and Winship Cancer Institute, Atlanta, Ga (A.P.)
| | - Ricardo P. J. Budde
- From the University of Lyon, INSA-Lyon, Claude Bernard Lyon 1
University, UJM-Saint Etienne, CNRS, Inserm, Villeurbanne, France (P.C.D., L.B.,
S.A.S.M.); Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Radiology, Louis Pradel
Hospital, Hospices Civils de Lyon, 59 Boulevard Pinel, 69500 Bron, France
(P.C.D., S.B., L.B., S.A.S.M.); Claude Bernard Lyon 1 University, Villeurbanne,
France (S.B.); Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus Medical
Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands (E.H.G.O., R.P.J.B.); Department of
Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa (D.P.C.); Department of
Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, Ga (A.P.); Department
of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Ga (A.P.);
and Winship Cancer Institute, Atlanta, Ga (A.P.)
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10
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Holmes TW, Yin Z, Stevens GM, Slavic S, Okerlund DR, Maltz JS, Pourmorteza A. Ultra-high-resolution spectral silicon-based photon-counting detector CT for coronary CT angiography: Initial results in a dynamic phantom. J Cardiovasc Comput Tomogr 2023; 17:341-344. [PMID: 37567802 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcct.2023.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent improvements in CT detector technology have led to smaller detector pixels resolving frequencies beyond 20 lp/cm and enabled ultra-high-resolution CT. Silicon-based photon-counting detector (PCD) CT is one such technology that promises improved spatial and spectral resolution. However, when the detector pixel sizes are reduced, the impact of cardiac motion on CT images becomes more pronounced. Here, we investigated the effects cardiac motion on the image quality of a clinical prototype Si-PCD scanner in a dynamic heart phantom. METHODS A series of 3D-printed vessels were created to simulate coronary arteries with diameter in the 1-3.5 mm range. Four coronary stents were set inside the d = 3.5 mm vessels and all vessels were filled with contrast agents and were placed inside a dynamic cardiac phantom. The phantom was scanned in motion (60 bpm) and at rest on a prototype clinical Si-PCD CT scanner in 8-bin spectral UHR mode. Virtual monoenergetic images (VMI) were generated at 70 keV and CT number accuracy and effective spatial resolution (blooming) of rest and motion VMIs were compared. RESULTS Linear regression analysis of CT numbers showed excellent agreement (r > 0.99) between rest and motion. We did not observe a significant difference (p > 0.48) in estimating free lumen diameters. Differences in in-stent lumen diameter and stent strut thickness were non-significant with maximum mean difference of approximately 70 μm. CONCLUSION We found no significant degradation in CT number accuracy or spatial resolution due to cardiac motion. The results demonstrate the potential of spectral UHR coronary CT angiography enabled by Si-PCD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Wesley Holmes
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University, 1364 Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Zhye Yin
- GE HealthCare, 3000 North Grandview Blvd, Waukesha, WI 53188, USA
| | - Grant M Stevens
- GE HealthCare, 3000 North Grandview Blvd, Waukesha, WI 53188, USA
| | - Scott Slavic
- GE HealthCare, 3000 North Grandview Blvd, Waukesha, WI 53188, USA
| | - Darin R Okerlund
- GE HealthCare, 3000 North Grandview Blvd, Waukesha, WI 53188, USA
| | - Jonathan S Maltz
- GE HealthCare, 3000 North Grandview Blvd, Waukesha, WI 53188, USA
| | - Amir Pourmorteza
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University, 1364 Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, 1364 Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Emory University, Georgia Institute of Technology, 201 Dowman Drive, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
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11
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Meloni A, Cademartiri F, Positano V, Celi S, Berti S, Clemente A, La Grutta L, Saba L, Bossone E, Cavaliere C, Punzo B, Maffei E. Cardiovascular Applications of Photon-Counting CT Technology: A Revolutionary New Diagnostic Step. J Cardiovasc Dev Dis 2023; 10:363. [PMID: 37754792 PMCID: PMC10531582 DOI: 10.3390/jcdd10090363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Photon-counting computed tomography (PCCT) is an emerging technology that can potentially transform clinical CT imaging. After a brief description of the PCCT technology, this review summarizes its main advantages over conventional CT: improved spatial resolution, improved signal and contrast behavior, reduced electronic noise and artifacts, decreased radiation dose, and multi-energy capability with improved material discrimination. Moreover, by providing an overview of the existing literature, this review highlights how the PCCT benefits have been harnessed to enhance and broaden the diagnostic capabilities of CT for cardiovascular applications, including the detection of coronary artery calcifications, evaluation of coronary plaque extent and composition, evaluation of coronary stents, and assessment of myocardial tissue characteristics and perfusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonella Meloni
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (A.M.); (V.P.); (A.C.); (E.M.)
- Unità Operativa Complessa di Bioingegneria, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Filippo Cademartiri
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (A.M.); (V.P.); (A.C.); (E.M.)
| | - Vicenzo Positano
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (A.M.); (V.P.); (A.C.); (E.M.)
- Unità Operativa Complessa di Bioingegneria, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Simona Celi
- BioCardioLab, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, 54100 Massa, Italy;
| | - Sergio Berti
- Diagnostic and Interventional Cardiology Department, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, 54100 Massa, Italy;
| | - Alberto Clemente
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (A.M.); (V.P.); (A.C.); (E.M.)
| | - Ludovico La Grutta
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital “P. Giaccone”, 90127 Palermo, Italy;
| | - Luca Saba
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital of Cagliari, 09042 Monserrato, CA, Italy;
| | - Eduardo Bossone
- Department of Cardiology, Ospedale Cardarelli, 80131 Naples, Italy;
| | - Carlo Cavaliere
- Department of Radiology, Istituto di Ricerca e Cura a Carattere Scientifico SynLab-SDN, 80131 Naples, Italy; (C.C.); (B.P.)
| | - Bruna Punzo
- Department of Radiology, Istituto di Ricerca e Cura a Carattere Scientifico SynLab-SDN, 80131 Naples, Italy; (C.C.); (B.P.)
| | - Erica Maffei
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (A.M.); (V.P.); (A.C.); (E.M.)
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12
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McCollough CH, Rajendran K, Baffour FI, Diehn FE, Ferrero A, Glazebrook KN, Horst KK, Johnson TF, Leng S, Mileto A, Rajiah PS, Schmidt B, Yu L, Flohr TG, Fletcher JG. Clinical applications of photon counting detector CT. Eur Radiol 2023; 33:5309-5320. [PMID: 37020069 PMCID: PMC10330165 DOI: 10.1007/s00330-023-09596-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023]
Abstract
The X-ray detector is a fundamental component of a CT system that determines the image quality and dose efficiency. Until the approval of the first clinical photon-counting-detector (PCD) system in 2021, all clinical CT scanners used scintillating detectors, which do not capture information about individual photons in the two-step detection process. In contrast, PCDs use a one-step process whereby X-ray energy is converted directly into an electrical signal. This preserves information about individual photons such that the numbers of X-ray in different energy ranges can be counted. Primary advantages of PCDs include the absence of electronic noise, improved radiation dose efficiency, increased iodine signal and the ability to use lower doses of iodinated contrast material, and better spatial resolution. PCDs with more than one energy threshold can sort the detected photons into two or more energy bins, making energy-resolved information available for all acquisitions. This allows for material classification or quantitation tasks to be performed in conjunction with high spatial resolution, and in the case of dual-source CT, high pitch, or high temporal resolution acquisitions. Some of the most promising applications of PCD-CT involve imaging of anatomy where exquisite spatial resolution adds clinical value. These include imaging of the inner ear, bones, small blood vessels, heart, and lung. This review describes the clinical benefits observed to date and future directions for this technical advance in CT imaging. KEY POINTS: • Beneficial characteristics of photon-counting detectors include the absence of electronic noise, increased iodine signal-to-noise ratio, improved spatial resolution, and full-time multi-energy imaging. • Promising applications of PCD-CT involve imaging of anatomy where exquisite spatial resolution adds clinical value and applications requiring multi-energy data simultaneous with high spatial and/or temporal resolution. • Future applications of PCD-CT technology may include extremely high spatial resolution tasks, such as the detection of breast micro-calcifications, and quantitative imaging of native tissue types and novel contrast agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cynthia H McCollough
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA.
| | - Kishore Rajendran
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA
| | - Francis I Baffour
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA
| | - Felix E Diehn
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA
| | - Andrea Ferrero
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA
| | - Katrina N Glazebrook
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA
| | - Kelly K Horst
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA
| | - Tucker F Johnson
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA
| | - Shuai Leng
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA
| | - Achille Mileto
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA
| | | | - Bernhard Schmidt
- Computed Tomography, Siemens Healthineers, Siemensstrasse 3, Forchheim, 91301, Germany
| | - Lifeng Yu
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA
| | - Thomas G Flohr
- Computed Tomography, Siemens Healthineers, Siemensstrasse 3, Forchheim, 91301, Germany
| | - Joel G Fletcher
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA
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13
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Si-Mohamed SA, Boccalini S, Villien M, Yagil Y, Erhard K, Boussel L, Douek PC. First Experience With a Whole-Body Spectral Photon-Counting CT Clinical Prototype. Invest Radiol 2023; 58:459-471. [PMID: 36822663 PMCID: PMC10259214 DOI: 10.1097/rli.0000000000000965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Spectral photon-counting computed tomography (SPCCT) technology holds great promise for becoming the next generation of computed tomography (CT) systems. Its technical characteristics have many advantages over conventional CT imaging. For example, SPCCT provides better spatial resolution, greater dose efficiency for ultra-low-dose and low-dose protocols, and tissue contrast superior to that of conventional CT. In addition, SPCCT takes advantage of several known approaches in the field of spectral CT imaging, such as virtual monochromatic imaging and material decomposition imaging. In addition, SPCCT takes advantage of a new approach in this field, known as K-edge imaging, which allows specific and quantitative imaging of a heavy atom-based contrast agent. Hence, the high potential of SPCCT systems supports their ongoing investigation in clinical research settings. In this review, we propose an overview of our clinical research experience of a whole-body SPCCT clinical prototype, to give an insight into the potential benefits for clinical human imaging on image quality, diagnostic confidence, and new approaches in spectral CT imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salim A. Si-Mohamed
- From the University Lyon, INSA-Lyon, University Claude Bernard Lyon 1, UJM-Saint Etienne, CNRS, Inserm, Villeurbanne, France
- Department of Radiology, Louis Pradel Hospital, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Bron, France
| | - Sara Boccalini
- From the University Lyon, INSA-Lyon, University Claude Bernard Lyon 1, UJM-Saint Etienne, CNRS, Inserm, Villeurbanne, France
- Department of Radiology, Louis Pradel Hospital, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Bron, France
| | | | | | | | - Loic Boussel
- From the University Lyon, INSA-Lyon, University Claude Bernard Lyon 1, UJM-Saint Etienne, CNRS, Inserm, Villeurbanne, France
- Department of Radiology, Louis Pradel Hospital, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Bron, France
| | - Philippe C. Douek
- From the University Lyon, INSA-Lyon, University Claude Bernard Lyon 1, UJM-Saint Etienne, CNRS, Inserm, Villeurbanne, France
- Department of Radiology, Louis Pradel Hospital, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Bron, France
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14
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Meloni A, Cademartiri F, Pistoia L, Degiorgi G, Clemente A, De Gori C, Positano V, Celi S, Berti S, Emdin M, Panetta D, Menichetti L, Punzo B, Cavaliere C, Bossone E, Saba L, Cau R, La Grutta L, Maffei E. Dual-Source Photon-Counting Computed Tomography-Part III: Clinical Overview of Vascular Applications beyond Cardiac and Neuro Imaging. J Clin Med 2023; 12:jcm12113798. [PMID: 37297994 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12113798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Photon-counting computed tomography (PCCT) is an emerging technology that is expected to radically change clinical CT imaging. PCCT offers several advantages over conventional CT, which can be combined to improve and expand the diagnostic possibilities of CT angiography. After a brief description of the PCCT technology and its main advantages we will discuss the new opportunities brought about by PCCT in the field of vascular imaging, while addressing promising future clinical scenarios.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonella Meloni
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione Monasterio/CNR, 56124 Pisa, Italy
- Department of Bioengineering, Fondazione Monasterio/CNR, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Laura Pistoia
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione Monasterio/CNR, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Giulia Degiorgi
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione Monasterio/CNR, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Alberto Clemente
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione Monasterio/CNR, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Carmelo De Gori
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione Monasterio/CNR, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Positano
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione Monasterio/CNR, 56124 Pisa, Italy
- Department of Bioengineering, Fondazione Monasterio/CNR, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Simona Celi
- BioCardioLab, Department of Bioengineering, Fondazione Monasterio/CNR, 54100 Massa, Italy
| | - Sergio Berti
- Cardiology Unit, Ospedale del Cuore, Fondazione Monasterio/CNR, 54100 Massa, Italy
| | - Michele Emdin
- Department of Cardiology, Fondazione Monasterio/CNR, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Daniele Panetta
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Council of Research, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Luca Menichetti
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Council of Research, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Bruna Punzo
- Department of Radiology, IRCCS SynLab-SDN, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Carlo Cavaliere
- Department of Radiology, IRCCS SynLab-SDN, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Eduardo Bossone
- Department of Cardiology, Ospedale Cardarelli, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Luca Saba
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital, 09042 Monserrato, CA, Italy
| | - Riccardo Cau
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital, 09042 Monserrato, CA, Italy
| | - Ludovico La Grutta
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties-ProMISE, Department of Radiology, University Hospital "P. Giaccone", 90127 Palermo, Italy
| | - Erica Maffei
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione Monasterio/CNR, 56124 Pisa, Italy
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15
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Cademartiri F, Meloni A, Pistoia L, Degiorgi G, Clemente A, De Gori C, Positano V, Celi S, Berti S, Emdin M, Panetta D, Menichetti L, Punzo B, Cavaliere C, Bossone E, Saba L, Cau R, Grutta LL, Maffei E. Dual Source Photon-Counting Computed Tomography-Part II: Clinical Overview of Neurovascular Applications. J Clin Med 2023; 12:jcm12113626. [PMID: 37297821 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12113626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Photon-counting detector (PCD) is a novel computed tomography detector technology (photon-counting computed tomography-PCCT) that presents many advantages in the neurovascular field, such as increased spatial resolution, reduced radiation exposure, and optimization of the use of contrast agents and material decomposition. In this overview of the existing literature on PCCT, we describe the physical principles, the advantages and the disadvantages of conventional energy integrating detectors and PCDs, and finally, we discuss the applications of the PCD, focusing specifically on its implementation in the neurovascular field.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Antonella Meloni
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione Monasterio/CNR, 56124 Pisa, Italy
- Department of Bioengineering, Fondazione Monasterio/CNR, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Laura Pistoia
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione Monasterio/CNR, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Giulia Degiorgi
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione Monasterio/CNR, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Alberto Clemente
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione Monasterio/CNR, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Carmelo De Gori
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione Monasterio/CNR, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Positano
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione Monasterio/CNR, 56124 Pisa, Italy
- Department of Bioengineering, Fondazione Monasterio/CNR, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Simona Celi
- BioCardioLab, Department of Bioengineering, Fondazione Monasterio/CNR, 54100 Massa, Italy
| | - Sergio Berti
- Cardiology Unit, Ospedale del Cuore, Fondazione Monasterio/CNR, 54100 Massa, Italy
| | - Michele Emdin
- Department of Cardiology, Fondazione Monasterio/CNR, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Daniele Panetta
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Council of Research, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Luca Menichetti
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Council of Research, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Bruna Punzo
- Department of Radiology, IRCCS SynLab-SDN, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Carlo Cavaliere
- Department of Radiology, IRCCS SynLab-SDN, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Eduardo Bossone
- Department of Cardiology, Ospedale Cardarelli, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Luca Saba
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital, 09042 Monserrato, Italy
| | - Riccardo Cau
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital, 09042 Monserrato, Italy
| | - Ludovico La Grutta
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties-ProMISE, Department of Radiology, University Hospital "P. Giaccone", 90127 Palermo, Italy
| | - Erica Maffei
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione Monasterio/CNR, 56124 Pisa, Italy
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16
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Hsu JC, Tang Z, Eremina OE, Sofias AM, Lammers T, Lovell JF, Zavaleta C, Cai W, Cormode DP. Nanomaterial-based contrast agents. NATURE REVIEWS. METHODS PRIMERS 2023; 3:30. [PMID: 38130699 PMCID: PMC10732545 DOI: 10.1038/s43586-023-00211-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Medical imaging, which empowers the detection of physiological and pathological processes within living subjects, has a vital role in both preclinical and clinical diagnostics. Contrast agents are often needed to accompany anatomical data with functional information or to provide phenotyping of the disease in question. Many newly emerging contrast agents are based on nanomaterials as their high payloads, unique physicochemical properties, improved sensitivity and multimodality capacity are highly desired for many advanced forms of bioimaging techniques and applications. Here, we review the developments in the field of nanomaterial-based contrast agents. We outline important nanomaterial design considerations and discuss the effect on their physicochemical attributes, contrast properties and biological behaviour. We also describe commonly used approaches for formulating, functionalizing and characterizing these nanomaterials. Key applications are highlighted by categorizing nanomaterials on the basis of their X-ray, magnetic, nuclear, optical and/or photoacoustic contrast properties. Finally, we offer our perspectives on current challenges and emerging research topics as well as expectations for future advancements in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica C. Hsu
- Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Departments of Radiology and Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Zhongmin Tang
- Departments of Radiology and Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Olga E. Eremina
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Alexandros Marios Sofias
- Department of Nanomedicine and Theranostics, Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging, Faculty of Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Twan Lammers
- Department of Nanomedicine and Theranostics, Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging, Faculty of Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Jonathan F. Lovell
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Cristina Zavaleta
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Weibo Cai
- Departments of Radiology and Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - David P. Cormode
- Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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17
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Cao J, Bache S, Schwartz FR, Frush D. Pediatric Applications of Photon-Counting Detector CT. AJR Am J Roentgenol 2023; 220:580-589. [PMID: 36287620 DOI: 10.2214/ajr.22.28391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Photon-counting detector (PCD) CT represents the most recent generational advance in CT technology. PCD CT has the potential to reduce image noise, improve spatial resolution and contrast resolution, and provide multispectral capability, all of which may be achieved with an overall decrease in the radiation dose. These effects may be used to reduce the iodinated contrast media dose and potentially obtain multiphase images through a single-acquisition technique. The benefits of PCD CT have previously been shown primarily in phantoms and adult patients. This article describes the application of PCD CT in children, as illustrated by clinical examples from a commercially available PCD CT system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Cao
- Department of Radiology, Division of Pediatric Radiology, Duke University Medical Center, 2301 Erwin Rd, Durham, NC 27705
| | - Steve Bache
- Department of Radiology, Clinical Imaging Physics Group, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC
| | | | - Donald Frush
- Department of Radiology, Division of Pediatric Radiology, Medical Physics Graduate Program, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC
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18
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Photon-Counting Computed Tomography (PCCT): Technical Background and Cardio-Vascular Applications. Diagnostics (Basel) 2023; 13:diagnostics13040645. [PMID: 36832139 PMCID: PMC9955798 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13040645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2023] [Revised: 01/28/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Photon-counting computed tomography (PCCT) is a new advanced imaging technique that is going to transform the standard clinical use of computed tomography (CT) imaging. Photon-counting detectors resolve the number of photons and the incident X-ray energy spectrum into multiple energy bins. Compared with conventional CT technology, PCCT offers the advantages of improved spatial and contrast resolution, reduction of image noise and artifacts, reduced radiation exposure, and multi-energy/multi-parametric imaging based on the atomic properties of tissues, with the consequent possibility to use different contrast agents and improve quantitative imaging. This narrative review first briefly describes the technical principles and the benefits of photon-counting CT and then provides a synthetic outline of the current literature on its use for vascular imaging.
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Yang M, Wohlfahrt P, Shen C, Bouchard H. Dual- and multi-energy CT for particle stopping-power estimation: current state, challenges and potential. Phys Med Biol 2023; 68. [PMID: 36595276 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6560/acabfa] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Range uncertainty has been a key factor preventing particle radiotherapy from reaching its full physical potential. One of the main contributing sources is the uncertainty in estimating particle stopping power (ρs) within patients. Currently, theρsdistribution in a patient is derived from a single-energy CT (SECT) scan acquired for treatment planning by converting CT number expressed in Hounsfield units (HU) of each voxel toρsusing a Hounsfield look-up table (HLUT), also known as the CT calibration curve. HU andρsshare a linear relationship with electron density but differ in their additional dependence on elemental composition through different physical properties, i.e. effective atomic number and mean excitation energy, respectively. Because of that, the HLUT approach is particularly sensitive to differences in elemental composition between real human tissues and tissue surrogates as well as tissue variations within and among individual patients. The use of dual-energy CT (DECT) forρsprediction has been shown to be effective in reducing the uncertainty inρsestimation compared to SECT. The acquisition of CT data over different x-ray spectra yields additional information on the material elemental composition. Recently, multi-energy CT (MECT) has been explored to deduct material-specific information with higher dimensionality, which has the potential to further improve the accuracy ofρsestimation. Even though various DECT and MECT methods have been proposed and evaluated over the years, these approaches are still only scarcely implemented in routine clinical practice. In this topical review, we aim at accelerating this translation process by providing: (1) a comprehensive review of the existing DECT/MECT methods forρsestimation with their respective strengths and weaknesses; (2) a general review of uncertainties associated with DECT/MECT methods; (3) a general review of different aspects related to clinical implementation of DECT/MECT methods; (4) other potential advanced DECT/MECT applications beyondρsestimation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Yang
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Department of Radiation Physics, 1515 Holcombe Blvd Houston, TX 77030, United States of America
| | - Patrick Wohlfahrt
- Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Department of Radiation Oncology, Boston, MA 02115, United States of America
| | - Chenyang Shen
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Department of Radiation Oncology, 2280 Inwood Rd Dallas, TX 75235, United States of America
| | - Hugo Bouchard
- Département de physique, Université de Montréal, Complexe des sciences, 1375 Avenue Thérèse-Lavoie-Roux, Montréal, Québec H2V0B3, Canada.,Centre de recherche du Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, 900 Rue Saint-Denis, Montréal, Québec, H2X 0A9, Canada.,Département de radio-oncologie, Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, 1051 Rue Sanguinet, Montréal, Québec H2X 3E4, Canada
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20
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Wu Q, Zheng Q, He Y, Chen Q, Yang H. Emerging Nanoagents for Medical X-ray Imaging. Anal Chem 2023; 95:33-48. [PMID: 36625104 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.2c04602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Qinxia Wu
- MOE Key Laboratory for Analytical Science of Food Safety and Biology, College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Qianyu Zheng
- MOE Key Laboratory for Analytical Science of Food Safety and Biology, College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Yu He
- MOE Key Laboratory for Analytical Science of Food Safety and Biology, College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Qiushui Chen
- MOE Key Laboratory for Analytical Science of Food Safety and Biology, College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350002, China.,Fujian Science & Technology Innovation Laboratory for Optoelectronic Information of China, Fuzhou 350108, P. R. China
| | - Huanghao Yang
- MOE Key Laboratory for Analytical Science of Food Safety and Biology, College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350002, China.,Fujian Science & Technology Innovation Laboratory for Optoelectronic Information of China, Fuzhou 350108, P. R. China
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21
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Tavakoli C, Cuccione E, Dumot C, Balegamire J, Si-Mohamed SA, Kim J, Crola-da-Silva C, Chevalier Y, Boussel L, Douek P, Cormode D, Elleaume H, Brun E, Wiart M. High-resolution synchrotron K-edge subtraction CT allows tracking and quantifying therapeutic cells and their scaffold in a rat model of focal cerebral injury and can serve as a reference for spectral photon counting CT. Nanotheranostics 2023; 7:176-186. [PMID: 36793350 PMCID: PMC9925349 DOI: 10.7150/ntno.79575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: The objective of this study was to demonstrate that synchrotron K-edge subtraction tomography (SKES-CT) can simultaneously track therapeutic cells and their encapsulating carrier, in vivo, in a rat model of focal brain injury using a dual-contrast agent approach. The second objective was to determine if SKES-CT could be used as a reference method for spectral photon counting tomography (SPCCT). Methods: Phantoms containing different concentrations of gold and iodine nanoparticles (AuNPS/INPs) were imaged with SKES-CT and SPCCT to assess their performances. A pre-clinical study was performed in rats with focal cerebral injury which intracerebrally received AuNPs-labelled therapeutic cells encapsulated in a INPs-labelled scaffold. Animals were imaged in vivo with SKES-CT and back-to-back with SPCCT. Results: SKES-CT revealed to be reliable for quantification of gold and iodine, whether alone or mixed. In the preclinical model, SKES-CT showed that AuNPs remained at the site of cell injection, while INPs expanded within and/or along the lesion border, suggesting dissociation of both components in the first days post-administration. Compared to SKES-CT, SPCCT was able to correctly locate gold, but not completely located iodine. When SKES-CT was used as reference, SPCCT gold quantification appeared very accurate both in vitro and in vivo. Iodine quantification by SPCCT was also quite accurate, albeit less so than for gold. Conclusion: We here provide the proof-of-concept that SKES-CT is a novel method of choice for performing dual-contrast agent imaging in the context of brain regenerative therapy. SKES-CT may also serve as ground truth for emerging technologies such as multicolour clinical SPCCT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clément Tavakoli
- Univ Lyon, CarMeN Laboratory, INSERM, INRA, INSA Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, 69003, Lyon, France.,Univ. Grenoble Alpes, Inserm UA7 Strobe, Grenoble, France
| | - Elisa Cuccione
- Univ Lyon, CarMeN Laboratory, INSERM, INRA, INSA Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, 69003, Lyon, France
| | - Chloé Dumot
- Univ Lyon, CarMeN Laboratory, INSERM, INRA, INSA Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, 69003, Lyon, France.,Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Joëlle Balegamire
- LAGEPP, University of Lyon 1, CNRS UMR 5007, 43 bd 11 Novembre, 69622 Villeurbanne, France
| | - Salim Aymeric Si-Mohamed
- Department of cardiovascular and thoracic radiology, Louis Pradel Hospital, Hospices Civils de Lyon, 59 Boulevard Pinel, 69500 Bron, France.,CREATIS, UMR 5220, Univ Lyon, INSA Lyon, University Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
| | - Johoon Kim
- Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Claire Crola-da-Silva
- Univ Lyon, CarMeN Laboratory, INSERM, INRA, INSA Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, 69003, Lyon, France
| | - Yves Chevalier
- LAGEPP, University of Lyon 1, CNRS UMR 5007, 43 bd 11 Novembre, 69622 Villeurbanne, France
| | - Loïc Boussel
- Department of cardiovascular and thoracic radiology, Louis Pradel Hospital, Hospices Civils de Lyon, 59 Boulevard Pinel, 69500 Bron, France.,CREATIS, UMR 5220, Univ Lyon, INSA Lyon, University Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
| | - Philippe Douek
- Department of cardiovascular and thoracic radiology, Louis Pradel Hospital, Hospices Civils de Lyon, 59 Boulevard Pinel, 69500 Bron, France.,CREATIS, UMR 5220, Univ Lyon, INSA Lyon, University Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
| | - David Cormode
- Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania, United States
| | | | - Emmanuel Brun
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, Inserm UA7 Strobe, Grenoble, France
| | - Marlène Wiart
- Univ Lyon, CarMeN Laboratory, INSERM, INRA, INSA Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, 69003, Lyon, France.,CNRS, Lyon, France
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22
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First-generation clinical dual-source photon-counting CT: ultra-low-dose quantitative spectral imaging. Eur Radiol 2022; 32:8579-8587. [PMID: 35708838 PMCID: PMC10071880 DOI: 10.1007/s00330-022-08933-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Revised: 04/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Evaluation of image characteristics at ultra-low radiation dose levels of a first-generation dual-source photon-counting computed tomography (PCCT) compared to a dual-source dual-energy CT (DECT) scanner. METHODS A multi-energy CT phantom was imaged with and without an extension ring on both scanners over a range of radiation dose levels (CTDIvol 0.4-15.0 mGy). Scans were performed in different modes of acquisition for PCCT with 120 kVp and DECT with 70/Sn150 kVp and 100/Sn150 kVp. Various tissue inserts were used to characterize the precision and repeatability of Hounsfield units (HUs) on virtual mono-energetic images between 40 and 190 keV. Image noise was additionally investigated at an ultra-low radiation dose to illustrate PCCT's ability to remove electronic background noise. RESULTS Our results demonstrate the high precision of HU measurements for a wide range of inserts and radiation exposure levels with PCCT. We report high performance for both scanners across a wide range of radiation exposure levels, with PCCT outperforming at low exposures compared to DECT. PCCT scans at the lowest radiation exposures illustrate significant reduction in electronic background noise, with a mean percent reduction of 74% (p value ~ 10-8) compared to DECT 70/Sn150 kVp and 60% (p value ~ 10-6) compared to DECT 100/Sn150 kVp. CONCLUSIONS This paper reports the first experiences with a clinical dual-source PCCT. PCCT provides reliable HUs without disruption from electronic background noise for a wide range of dose values. Diagnostic benefits are not only for quantification at an ultra-low dose but also for imaging of obese patients. KEY POINTS PCCT scanners provide precise and reliable Hounsfield units at ultra-low dose levels. The influence of electronic background noise can be removed at ultra-low-dose acquisitions with PCCT. Both spectral platforms have high performance along a wide range of radiation exposure levels, with PCCT outperforming at low radiation exposures.
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23
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Greffier J, Villani N, Defez D, Dabli D, Si-Mohamed S. Spectral CT imaging: Technical principles of dual-energy CT and multi-energy photon-counting CT. Diagn Interv Imaging 2022; 104:167-177. [PMID: 36414506 DOI: 10.1016/j.diii.2022.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Spectral computed tomography (CT) imaging encompasses a unique generation of CT systems based on a simple principle that makes use of the energy-dependent information present in CT images. Over the past two decades this principle has been expanded with the introduction of dual-energy CT systems. The first generation of spectral CT systems, represented either by dual-source or dual-layer technology, opened up a new imaging approach in the radiology community with their ability to overcome the limitations of tissue characterization encountered with conventional CT. Its expansion worldwide can also be considered as an important leverage for the recent groundbreaking technology based on a new chain of detection available on photon counting CT systems, which holds great promise for extending CT towards multi-energy CT imaging. The purpose of this article was to detail the basic principles and techniques of spectral CT with a particular emphasis on the newest technical developments of dual-energy and multi-energy CT systems.
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24
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Li Y, Younis MH, Wang H, Zhang J, Cai W, Ni D. Spectral computed tomography with inorganic nanomaterials: State-of-the-art. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2022; 189:114524. [PMID: 36058350 PMCID: PMC9664656 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2022.114524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Revised: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Recently, spectral computed tomography (CT) technology has received great interest in the field of radiology. Spectral CT imaging utilizes the distinct, energy-dependent X-ray absorption properties of substances in order to provide additional imaging information. Dual-energy CT and multi-energy CT (Spectral CT) are capable of constructing monochromatic energy images, material separation images, energy spectrum curves, constructing effective atomic number maps, and more. However, poor contrast, due to neighboring X-ray attenuation of organs and tissues, is still a challenge to spectral CT. Hence, contrast agents (CAs) are applied for better differentiation of a given region of interest (ROI). Currently, many different kinds of inorganic nanoparticulate CAs for spectral CT have been developed due to the limitations of clinical iodine (I)-based contrast media, leading to the conclusion that inorganic nanomedicine applied to spectral CT will be a powerful collaboration both in basic research and in clinics. In this review, the underlying principles and types of spectral CT techniques are discussed, and some evolving clinical diagnosis applications of spectral CT techniques are introduced. In particular, recent developments in inorganic CAs used for spectral CT are summarized. Finally, the challenges and future developments of inorganic nanomedicine in spectral CT are briefly discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhan Li
- School of Medicine, Shanghai University, No. 99 Shangda Rd, Shanghai 200444, PR China
| | - Muhsin H Younis
- Departments of Radiology and Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, WI 53705, United States
| | - Han Wang
- Department of Orthopaedics, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Prevention and Treatment of Bone and Joint Diseases, Shanghai Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedics, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No. 197, Ruijin 2nd Rd, Shanghai 200025, PR China
| | - Jian Zhang
- School of Medicine, Shanghai University, No. 99 Shangda Rd, Shanghai 200444, PR China; Shanghai Universal Medical Imaging Diagnostic Center, Bldg 8, No. 406 Guilin Rd, Shanghai 200233, PR China.
| | - Weibo Cai
- Departments of Radiology and Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, WI 53705, United States.
| | - Dalong Ni
- Department of Orthopaedics, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Prevention and Treatment of Bone and Joint Diseases, Shanghai Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedics, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No. 197, Ruijin 2nd Rd, Shanghai 200025, PR China.
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25
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Dong YC, Kumar A, Rosario-Berríos DN, Si-Mohamed S, Hsu JC, Nieves LM, Douek P, Noël PB, Cormode DP. Ytterbium Nanoparticle Contrast Agents for Conventional and Spectral Photon-Counting CT and Their Applications for Hydrogel Imaging. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2022; 14:39274-39284. [PMID: 35975982 PMCID: PMC9513702 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c12354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Significant work has been done to develop nanoparticle contrast agents for computed tomography (CT), with a focus on identifying safer and more effective formulations. Contrast agents for spectral photon-counting computed tomography (SPCCT), a fast-growing imaging modality derived from conventional CT, have also recently gained considerable attention. In this study, we explored the synthesis of ultrasmall ytterbium nanoparticles (YbNP) and demonstrated that, potentially, they can be used as conventional CT and SPCCT contrast agents. These nanoparticles were tested in vitro for their cytotoxicity and contrast-generating properties with a variety of imaging systems. When scanned with conventional CT and SPCCT at clinically relevant energies, YbNP are significantly more attenuating than gold nanoparticles (AuNP), the contrast agents that have been most well studied. Furthermore, YbNP were studied for their potential application for labeling and monitoring hydrogels. The presence of the YbNP payload in hydrogels allowed for hydrogel localization and tracking in vivo. Additionally, the in vivo imaging results revealed that YbNP generate higher contrast when compared to AuNP used as a label. In summary, this is the first research study to examine ultrasmall YbNP as conventional CT and SPCCT contrast agents, as well as using them in a hydrogel system to make it radiopaque. These findings underscore YbNP's utility as CT and SPCCT contrast agents, as well as their potential for tracking hydrogels in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxi C Dong
- Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Ananyaa Kumar
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Derick N Rosario-Berríos
- Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Salim Si-Mohamed
- CREATIS, CNRS UMR 5220, INSERM U1206, INSA, University Claude Bernard Lyon 1, F69621 Lyon, France
| | - Jessica C Hsu
- Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Lenitza M Nieves
- Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Philippe Douek
- CREATIS, CNRS UMR 5220, INSERM U1206, INSA, University Claude Bernard Lyon 1, F69621 Lyon, France
| | - Peter B Noël
- Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - David P Cormode
- Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
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26
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Ostadhossein F, Moitra P, Gunaseelan N, Nelappana M, Lowe C, Moghiseh M, Butler A, de Ruiter N, Mandalika H, Tripathi I, Misra SK, Pan D. Hitchhiking probiotic vectors to deliver ultra-small hafnia nanoparticles for 'Color' gastrointestinal tract photon counting X-ray imaging. NANOSCALE HORIZONS 2022; 7:533-542. [PMID: 35311837 DOI: 10.1039/d1nh00626f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Gastrointestinal (GI) tract is one of the hard-to-reach target tissues for the delivery of contrast agents and drugs mediated by nanoparticles due to its harsh environment. Herein, we overcame this barrier by designing orally ingestible probiotic vectors for 'hitchhiking' ultrasmall hafnia (HfO2) (∼1-2 nm) nanoparticles. The minute-made synthesis of these nanoparticles is accomplished through a simple reduction reaction. These nanoparticles were incubated with probiotic bacteria with potential health benefits and were non-specifically taken up due to their small size. Subsequently, the bacteria were lyophilized and packed into a capsule to be administered orally as the radiopaque contrast agents for delineating the GI features. These nano-bio-hybrid entities could successfully be utilized as contrast agents in vivo in the conventional and multispectral computed tomography (CT). We demonstrated in 'color' the accumulated nanoparticles using advanced detectors of the photon counting CT. The enhanced nano-bio-interfacing capability achieved here can circumvent traditional nanoparticle solubility and delivery problems while offering a patient friendly approach for GI imaging to replace the currently practiced barium meal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Ostadhossein
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 611 West Park Street, Urbana, IL, USA.
- Beckman Institute of Advanced Science and Technology, 405 N. Mathews M/C 251, Urbana, IL 61801-2325, USA
| | - Parikshit Moitra
- Departments of Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine and Pediatrics, University of Maryland Baltimore, 670 W Baltimore St., Baltimore, Maryland, 21201, USA
| | - Nivetha Gunaseelan
- Departments of Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine and Pediatrics, University of Maryland Baltimore, 670 W Baltimore St., Baltimore, Maryland, 21201, USA
- Department of Chemical, Biochemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Baltimore, Maryland, 21250, USA
| | - Michael Nelappana
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 611 West Park Street, Urbana, IL, USA.
| | - Chiara Lowe
- University of Otago Christchurch, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Mahdieh Moghiseh
- University of Otago Christchurch, Christchurch, New Zealand
- MARS Bioimaging Limited, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Anthony Butler
- University of Otago Christchurch, Christchurch, New Zealand
- MARS Bioimaging Limited, Christchurch, New Zealand
- University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand
- European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
- Human Interface Technology Laboratory New Zealand, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Niels de Ruiter
- University of Otago Christchurch, Christchurch, New Zealand
- MARS Bioimaging Limited, Christchurch, New Zealand
- University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand
- Human Interface Technology Laboratory New Zealand, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Harish Mandalika
- MARS Bioimaging Limited, Christchurch, New Zealand
- University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand
- Human Interface Technology Laboratory New Zealand, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Indu Tripathi
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 611 West Park Street, Urbana, IL, USA.
| | - Santosh K Misra
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 611 West Park Street, Urbana, IL, USA.
| | - Dipanjan Pan
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 611 West Park Street, Urbana, IL, USA.
- Beckman Institute of Advanced Science and Technology, 405 N. Mathews M/C 251, Urbana, IL 61801-2325, USA
- Departments of Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine and Pediatrics, University of Maryland Baltimore, 670 W Baltimore St., Baltimore, Maryland, 21201, USA
- Department of Chemical, Biochemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Baltimore, Maryland, 21250, USA
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, 201 Materials Science and Engineering Building, 1304 W. Green St. MC 246, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
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Spectral Photon-Counting CT Technology in Chest Imaging. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10245757. [PMID: 34945053 PMCID: PMC8704215 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10245757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The X-ray imaging field is currently undergoing a period of rapid technological innovation in diagnostic imaging equipment. An important recent development is the advent of new X-ray detectors, i.e., photon-counting detectors (PCD), which have been introduced in recent clinical prototype systems, called PCD computed tomography (PCD-CT) or photon-counting CT (PCCT) or spectral photon-counting CT (SPCCT) systems. PCD allows a pixel up to 200 microns pixels at iso-center, which is much smaller than that can be obtained with conventional energy integrating detectors (EID). PCDs have also a higher dose efficiency than EID mainly because of electronic noise suppression. In addition, the energy-resolving capabilities of these detectors allow generating spectral basis imaging, such as the mono-energetic images or the water/iodine material images as well as the K-edge imaging of a contrast agent based on atoms of high atomic number. In recent years, studies have therefore been conducted to determine the potential of PCD-CT as an alternative to conventional CT for chest imaging.
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Rajendran K, Petersilka M, Henning A, Shanblatt E, Marsh J, Thorne J, Schmidt B, Flohr T, Fletcher J, McCollough C, Leng S. Full field-of-view, high-resolution, photon-counting detector CT: technical assessment and initial patient experience. Phys Med Biol 2021; 66:10.1088/1361-6560/ac155e. [PMID: 34271558 PMCID: PMC8551012 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6560/ac155e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
We report a comprehensive evaluation of a full field-of-view (FOV) photon-counting detector (PCD) computed tomography (CT) system using phantoms, and qualitatively assess image quality in patient examples. A whole-body PCD-CT system with 50 cm FOV, 5.76 cm z-detector coverage and two acquisition modes (standard: 144 × 0.4 mm collimation and ultra-high resolution (UHR): 120 × 0.2 mm collimation) was used in this study. Phantoms were scanned to assess image uniformity, CT number accuracy, noise power spectrum, spatial resolution, material decomposition and virtual monoenergetic imaging (VMI) performance. Four patients were scanned on the PCD-CT system with matched or lower radiation dose than their prior clinical CT scans performed using energy-integrating detector (EID) CT, and the potential clinical impact of PCD-CT was qualitatively evaluated. Phantom results showed water CT numbers within ±5 HU, and image uniformity measured between peripheral and central regions-of-interests to be within ±5 HU. For the UHR mode using a dedicated sharp kernel, the cut-off spatial frequency was 40 line-pairs cm-1, which corresponds to a 125μm limiting in-plane spatial resolution. The full-width-at-half-maximum for the section sensitivity profile was 0.33 mm for the smallest slice thickness (0.2 mm) using the UHR mode. Material decomposition in a multi-energy CT phantom showed accurate material classification, with a root-mean-squared-error of 0.3 mg cc-1for iodine concentrations (2-15 mg cc-1) and 14.2 mg cc-1for hydroxyapatite concentrations (200 and 400 mg cc-1). The average percent error for CT numbers corresponding to the iodine concentrations in VMI (40-70 keV) was 2.75%. Patient PCD-CT images demonstrated better delineation of anatomy for chest and temporal bone exams performed with the UHR mode, which allowed the use of very sharp kernels not possible with EID-CT. VMI and virtual non-contrast images generated from a patient head CT angiography exam using the standard acquisition mode demonstrated the multi-energy capability of the PCD-CT system.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Jeffrey Marsh
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Jamison Thorne
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | | | | | - Joel Fletcher
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | | | - Shuai Leng
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
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Stayman JW, Tivnan M, Wang W. Spectral CT using a fine grid structure and varying x-ray incidence angle. Med Phys 2021; 48:6412-6420. [PMID: 34151442 PMCID: PMC10771732 DOI: 10.1002/mp.14853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2020] [Revised: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Interest in spectral computed tomography (CT) for diagnostics and therapy evaluation has been growing. Data acquisitions with distinct spectral sensitivities provide the ability to discriminate multiple materials, quantitative density estimates, and reduced artifacts due to energy dependencies. We introduce a novel spectral CT concept that includes a fine-pitch grid structure for prefiltration of the x-ray beam. METHODS We develop physical models for grid designs and illustrate the basic operating principles wherein small angulations of the incident x rays results significant filtration and spectral shaping of the beam. We fabricate a prototype grid with tungsten lamellae. We compare x-ray spectra induced by this filter as a function of incidence angle in both simulation students and in physical measurements. The grid is also integrated onto a CT test bench where we scanned an iodinated phantom with clinically relevant concentrations (5, 10, 20, and 50 mgI/mL) to demonstrate the ability to perform spectral CT acquisitions and material decomposition. RESULTS X-ray spectrometer measurements reveal diverse and controllable spectral shaping with small angle changes that are in agreement with simulation studies. Critical angles where the characteristics of the induced spectrum changes dramatically are identified. Reconstructions of projection data for two angulations separated by 2° was reconstructed and material decomposition into iodine and water images shows good agreement with the known iodine concentrations. CONCLUSIONS This work demonstrates the feasibility of the grid-based approach to enable spectral CT data acquisitions and accurate material decompositions. On-going and future studies will investigate the potential of this novel concept as a relatively simple upgrade to standard energy-integrating CT.
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Affiliation(s)
- J. Webster Stayman
- Department of Biomedical, Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Matthew Tivnan
- Department of Biomedical, Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Wenying Wang
- Department of Biomedical, Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
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30
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Ren L, Allmendinger T, Halaweish A, Schmidt B, Flohr T, McCollough CH, Yu L. Energy-integrating-detector multi-energy CT: Implementation and a phantom study. Med Phys 2021; 48:4857-4871. [PMID: 33988849 PMCID: PMC8455428 DOI: 10.1002/mp.14943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Revised: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Multi-energy computed tomography (MECT) has a great potential to enable many novel clinical applications such as simultaneous multi-contrast imaging. The purpose of this study was to implement triple-beam MECT on a traditional energy-integrating-detector (EID) CT platform (EID-MECT). METHODS This was accomplished by mounting a z-axis split-filter (0.05 mm Au, 0.6 mm Sn) on Tube A of a dual-source EID CT scanner. With the two split x-ray beams from Tube A and the third beam from Tube B, three beams with different x-ray spectra can be simultaneously acquired. With Tube B operated at 70 or 80 kV and Tube A at 120 or 140 kV, four different triple-beam configurations were calibrated for MECT measurements: 70/Au120/Sn120, 80/Au120/Sn120, 70/Au140/Sn140, and 80/Au140/Sn140 kV. Iodine (I), gadolinium (Gd), bismuth (Bi) samples, and their mixtures were prepared for 2 three-material-decomposition tasks and 1 four-material-decomposition task. For each task, samples were placed in a water phantom and scanned using each of the four triple-beam configurations. For comparison, the same phantom was also scanned using three other dual-energy CT (DECT) or MECT technologies: twin-beam DECT (TB-DECT), dual-source DECT (DS-DECT), and photon-counting-detector CT (PCD-CT), all with optimal x-ray spectrum settings and at equal volume CT dose index (CTDIvol). The phantom for four-material decomposition (I/Gd/Bi/Water imaging) was scanned using the PCD-CT only (140 kV with 25, 50, 75, and 90 keV). Image-based material decomposition was performed to acquire material-specific images, on which the mean basis material concentrations and noise levels were measured and compared across all triple-beam configurations in EID-MECT and various DECT/MECT systems. RESULTS The optimal triple-beam configuration was task-dependent with 70/Au120/Sn120, 70/Au140/Sn140, and 70/Au120/Sn120 kV for I/Gd/Water, I/Bi/Water, and I/Gd/Bi/Water material decomposition tasks, respectively. At equal radiation dose level, EID-MECT provided comparable or better quantification accuracy in material-specific images for all three material decomposition tasks, compared to EID-based DECT and PCD-CT systems. In terms of noise level comparison, EID-MECT-derived material-specific images showed lower noise levels than TB-DECT and DS-DECT, but slightly higher than that from PCD-CT in I/Gd/Water imaging. For I/Bi/Water imaging, EID-MECT showed a comparable noise level to DS-DECT, and a much lower noise level than TB-DECT and PCD-CT in all material-specific images. For the four-material decomposition task involving I/Gd/Bi/Water, the bismuth-specific image derived from EID-MECT was slightly noisier, but both iodine- and gadolinium-specific images showed much lower noise levels in comparison to PCD-CT. CONCLUSIONS For the first time, an EID-based MECT system that can simultaneously acquire three x-ray spectra measurements was implemented on a clinical scanner, which demonstrated comparable or better imaging performance than existing DECT and MECT systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liqiang Ren
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, US
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Lifeng Yu
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, US
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31
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Feng M, Ji X, Zhang R, Treb K, Dingle AM, Li K. An experimental method to correct low-frequency concentric artifacts in photon counting CT. Phys Med Biol 2021; 66. [PMID: 34315142 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6560/ac1833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Large-area photon counting detectors (PCDs) are usually built by tiling multiple semiconductor panels that often have slightly different spectral responses to input x-rays. As a result of this spectral inconsistency, experimental PCD-CT images of large, human-sized objects may show high-frequency ring artifacts and low-frequency band artifacts. Due to the much larger width of the bands compared with the rings, the concentric artifact problem in PCD-CT images of human-sized objects cannot be adequately addressed by conventional CT ring correction methods. This work presents an experimental method to correct the concentric artifacts in PCD-CT. The method is applicable to not only energy-discriminating PCDs with multiple bins but also PCDs with only a single threshold controller. Its principle is similar to the two-step beam hardening correction method, except that the proposed method uses pixel-specific polynomial functions to address the spectral inconsistency problem across the detector plane. The pixel-specific polynomial coefficients were experimentally calibrated using 15 acrylic sheets and 6 aluminum sheets of known thicknesses. The pixel-specific polynomial functions were used to convert the measured PCD-CT projection data to acrylic- and aluminum-equivalent thicknesses that are energy-independent. The proposed method was experimentally evaluated using a human cadaver head and multiple physical phantoms: two of them contain iodine and one phantom contains dual K-edge contrast materials (gadolinium and iodine). The results show that the proposed method can effectively remove the low-frequency concentric artifacts in PCD-CT images while reducing beam hardening artifacts. In contrast, the conventional CT ring correction algorithm did not adequately address the low-frequency band artifacts. Compared with the direct material decomposition-based correction method, the proposed method not only relaxes the requirement of multi-energy bins but also generates images with lower noise and fewer concentric artifacts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mang Feng
- Department of Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1111 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53705, United States of America
| | - Xu Ji
- Department of Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1111 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53705, United States of America
| | - Ran Zhang
- Department of Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1111 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53705, United States of America
| | - Kevin Treb
- Department of Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1111 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53705, United States of America
| | - Aaron M Dingle
- Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, WI 53792, United States of America
| | - Ke Li
- Department of Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1111 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53705, United States of America.,Department of Radiology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 600 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53792, United States of America
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32
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Ring-Artifact Correction With Total-Variation Regularization for Material Images in Photon-Counting CT. IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON RADIATION AND PLASMA MEDICAL SCIENCES 2021. [DOI: 10.1109/trpms.2020.3022864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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33
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Ballabriga R, Alozy J, Bandi FN, Campbell M, Egidos N, Fernandez-Tenllado JM, Heijne EHM, Kremastiotis I, Llopart X, Madsen BJ, Pennicard D, Sriskaran V, Tlustos L. Photon Counting Detectors for X-Ray Imaging With Emphasis on CT. IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON RADIATION AND PLASMA MEDICAL SCIENCES 2021. [DOI: 10.1109/trpms.2020.3002949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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34
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Wang AS, Pelc NJ. Spectral Photon Counting CT: Imaging Algorithms and Performance Assessment. IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON RADIATION AND PLASMA MEDICAL SCIENCES 2021; 5:453-464. [PMID: 35419500 PMCID: PMC9000208 DOI: 10.1109/trpms.2020.3007380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Abstract
Photon counting x-ray detectors (PCDs) with spectral capabilities have the potential to revolutionize computed tomography (CT) for medical imaging. The ideal PCD provides accurate energy information for each incident x-ray, and at high spatial resolution. This information enables material-specific imaging, enhanced radiation dose efficiency, and improved spatial resolution in CT images. In practice, PCDs are affected by non-idealities, including limited energy resolution, pulse pileup, and cross talk due to charge sharing, K-fluorescence, and Compton scattering. In order to maximize their performance, PCDs must be carefully designed to reduce these effects and then later account for them during correction and post-acquisition steps. This review article examines algorithms for using PCDs in spectral CT applications, including how non-idealities impact image quality. Performance assessment metrics that account for spatial resolution and noise such as the detective quantum efficiency (DQE) can be used to compare different PCD designs, as well as compare PCDs with conventional energy integrating detectors (EIDs). These methods play an important role in enhancing spectral CT images and assessing the overall performance of PCDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam S Wang
- Departments of Radiology and, by courtesy, Electrical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305 USA
| | - Norbert J Pelc
- Department of Radiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305 USA
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35
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Sawall S, Amato C, Klein L, Wehrse E, Maier J, Kachelrieß M. Toward molecular imaging using spectral photon-counting computed tomography? Curr Opin Chem Biol 2021; 63:163-170. [PMID: 34051510 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2021.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Molecular imaging is a valuable tool in drug discovery and development, early screening and diagnosis of diseases, and therapy assessment among others. Although many different imaging modalities are in use today, molecular imaging with computed tomography (CT) is still challenging owing to its low sensitivity and soft tissue contrast compared with other modalities. Recent technical advances, particularly the introduction of spectral photon-counting detectors, might allow overcoming these challenges. Herein, the fundamentals and recent advances in CT relevant to molecular imaging are reviewed and potential future preclinical and clinical applications are highlighted. The review concludes with a discussion of potential future advancements of CT for molecular imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Sawall
- Division of X-Ray Imaging and CT, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, Heidelberg, 69120, Baden-Württemberg, Germany; Medical Faculty, Ruprecht-Karls-University Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 672, Heidelberg, 69120, Baden-Württemberg, Germany.
| | - Carlo Amato
- Division of X-Ray Imaging and CT, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, Heidelberg, 69120, Baden-Württemberg, Germany; Medical Faculty, Ruprecht-Karls-University Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 672, Heidelberg, 69120, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
| | - Laura Klein
- Division of X-Ray Imaging and CT, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, Heidelberg, 69120, Baden-Württemberg, Germany; Physical Faculty, Ruprecht-Karls-University Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 226, Heidelberg, 69120, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
| | - Eckhard Wehrse
- Division of Radiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, Heidelberg, 69120, Baden-Württemberg, Germany; Medical Faculty, Ruprecht-Karls-University Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 672, Heidelberg, 69120, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
| | - Joscha Maier
- Division of X-Ray Imaging and CT, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, Heidelberg, 69120, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
| | - Marc Kachelrieß
- Division of X-Ray Imaging and CT, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, Heidelberg, 69120, Baden-Württemberg, Germany; Medical Faculty, Ruprecht-Karls-University Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 672, Heidelberg, 69120, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
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36
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Longo E, Sancey L, Cedola A, Barbier EL, Bravin A, Brun F, Bukreeva I, Fratini M, Massimi L, Greving I, Le Duc G, Tillement O, De La Rochefoucauld O, Zeitoun P. 3D Spatial Distribution of Nanoparticles in Mice Brain Metastases by X-ray Phase-Contrast Tomography. Front Oncol 2021; 11:554668. [PMID: 34113554 PMCID: PMC8185349 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.554668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Characterizing nanoparticles (NPs) distribution in multiple and complex metastases is of fundamental relevance for the development of radiological protocols based on NPs administration. In the literature, there have been advances in monitoring NPs in tissues. However, the lack of 3D information is still an issue. X-ray phase-contrast tomography (XPCT) is a 3D label-free, non-invasive and multi-scale approach allowing imaging anatomical details with high spatial and contrast resolutions. Here an XPCT qualitative study on NPs distribution in a mouse brain model of melanoma metastases injected with gadolinium-based NPs for theranostics is presented. For the first time, XPCT images show the NPs uptake at micrometer resolution over the full brain. Our results revealed a heterogeneous distribution of the NPs inside the melanoma metastases, bridging the gap in spatial resolution between magnetic resonance imaging and histology. Our findings demonstrated that XPCT is a reliable technique for NPs detection and can be considered as an emerging method for the study of NPs distribution in organs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Longo
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, Institute of Materials Physics, Geesthacht, Germany.,Laboratoire d'Optique Appliquée UMR7639, ENSTA-CNRS-Ecole Polytechnique IP Paris, Palaiseau, France
| | - Lucie Sancey
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences U1209 UMR5309 UGA, Allée des Alpes-Site Santé, La Tronche, France
| | | | - Emmanuel L Barbier
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, Inserm, U1216, Grenoble Institut Neurosciences, GIN, Grenoble, France
| | - Alberto Bravin
- European Synchrotron Radiation Facility, Grenoble, France
| | | | - Inna Bukreeva
- Institute of Nanotechnology-CNR, Rome-Unit, Rome, Italy.,P. N. Lebedev Physical Institute, RAS, Moscow, Russia
| | - Michela Fratini
- Institute of Nanotechnology-CNR, Rome-Unit, Rome, Italy.,IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Massimi
- Institute of Nanotechnology-CNR, Rome-Unit, Rome, Italy.,Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Imke Greving
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, Institute of Materials Physics, Geesthacht, Germany
| | | | - Olivier Tillement
- Institut lumière-matière, UMR5306, Université Claude Bernard Lyon1-CNRS, Université de Lyon, Villeurbanne, France
| | | | - Philippe Zeitoun
- Laboratoire d'Optique Appliquée UMR7639, ENSTA-CNRS-Ecole Polytechnique IP Paris, Palaiseau, France
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37
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Si-Mohamed SA, Sigovan M, Hsu JC, Tatard-Leitman V, Chalabreysse L, Naha PC, Garrivier T, Dessouky R, Carnaru M, Boussel L, Cormode DP, Douek PC. In Vivo Molecular K-Edge Imaging of Atherosclerotic Plaque Using Photon-counting CT. Radiology 2021; 300:98-107. [PMID: 33944628 PMCID: PMC8217298 DOI: 10.1148/radiol.2021203968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Background Macrophage burden is a major factor in the risk of atherosclerotic plaque rupture, and its evaluation remains challenging with molecular noninvasive imaging approaches. Photon-counting CT (PCCT) with k-edge imaging aims to allow for the specific detection of macrophages using gold nanoparticles. Purpose To perform k-edge imaging in combination with gold nanoparticles to detect and quantify the macrophage burden within the atherosclerotic aortas of rabbits. Materials and Methods Atherosclerotic and control New Zealand white rabbits were imaged before and at several time points up to 2 days after intravenous injection of gold nanoparticles (3.5 mL/kg, 65 mg gold per milliliter). Aortic CT angiography was performed at the end of the follow-up using an intravenous injection of an iodinated contrast material. Gold k-edge and conventional CT images were reconstructed for qualitative and quantitative assessment of the macrophage burden. PCCT imaging results were compared with findings at histologic examination, quantitative histomorphometry, transmission electron microscopy, and quantitative inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. Pearson correlations between the macrophage area measured in immunostained sections and the concentration of gold and attenuation measured in the corresponding PCCT sections were calculated. Results Seven rabbits with atherosclerosis and four control rabbits without atherosclerosis were analyzed. In atherosclerotic rabbits, calcifications were observed along the aortic wall before injection. At 2 days after injection of gold nanoparticles, only gold k-edge images allowed for the distinction of plaque enhancement within calcifications and for lumen enhancement during angiography. A good correlation was observed between the gold concentration measured within the wall and the macrophage area in 35 plaques (five per rabbit) (r = 0.82; 95% CI: 0.67, 0.91; P < .001), which was higher than that observed on conventional CT images (r = 0.41; 95% CI: 0.09, 0.65; P = .01). Transmission electron microscopy and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry analyses confirmed the gold k-edge imaging findings. Conclusion Photon-counting CT with gold nanoparticles allowed for the noninvasive evaluation of both molecular and anatomic information in vivo in rabbits with atherosclerotic plaques. Published under a CC BY 4.0 license. Online supplemental material is available for this article. See also the editorial by Leiner in this issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salim A Si-Mohamed
- From the University of Lyon, National Institute of Applied Sciences of Lyon, University Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Jean Monnet University-Saint Etienne, French National Centre for Scientific Research, Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale, Centre de Recherche en Acquisition et Traitement de l'Image pour la Santé Unité mixte de recherche 5220, U1206, F-69621, Lyon, France (S.A.S.M., M.S., V.T.L., R.D., L.B., P.C.D.); Departments of Radiology (S.A.S.M., T.G., L.B., P.C.D.) and Pathology (L.C.), Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France; Department of Radiology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa (J.C.H., P.C.N., D.P.C.); Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Egypt (R.D.); and Department of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Immunology, Yale University, New Haven, Conn (M.C.)
| | - Monica Sigovan
- From the University of Lyon, National Institute of Applied Sciences of Lyon, University Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Jean Monnet University-Saint Etienne, French National Centre for Scientific Research, Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale, Centre de Recherche en Acquisition et Traitement de l'Image pour la Santé Unité mixte de recherche 5220, U1206, F-69621, Lyon, France (S.A.S.M., M.S., V.T.L., R.D., L.B., P.C.D.); Departments of Radiology (S.A.S.M., T.G., L.B., P.C.D.) and Pathology (L.C.), Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France; Department of Radiology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa (J.C.H., P.C.N., D.P.C.); Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Egypt (R.D.); and Department of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Immunology, Yale University, New Haven, Conn (M.C.)
| | - Jessica C Hsu
- From the University of Lyon, National Institute of Applied Sciences of Lyon, University Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Jean Monnet University-Saint Etienne, French National Centre for Scientific Research, Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale, Centre de Recherche en Acquisition et Traitement de l'Image pour la Santé Unité mixte de recherche 5220, U1206, F-69621, Lyon, France (S.A.S.M., M.S., V.T.L., R.D., L.B., P.C.D.); Departments of Radiology (S.A.S.M., T.G., L.B., P.C.D.) and Pathology (L.C.), Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France; Department of Radiology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa (J.C.H., P.C.N., D.P.C.); Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Egypt (R.D.); and Department of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Immunology, Yale University, New Haven, Conn (M.C.)
| | - Valérie Tatard-Leitman
- From the University of Lyon, National Institute of Applied Sciences of Lyon, University Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Jean Monnet University-Saint Etienne, French National Centre for Scientific Research, Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale, Centre de Recherche en Acquisition et Traitement de l'Image pour la Santé Unité mixte de recherche 5220, U1206, F-69621, Lyon, France (S.A.S.M., M.S., V.T.L., R.D., L.B., P.C.D.); Departments of Radiology (S.A.S.M., T.G., L.B., P.C.D.) and Pathology (L.C.), Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France; Department of Radiology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa (J.C.H., P.C.N., D.P.C.); Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Egypt (R.D.); and Department of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Immunology, Yale University, New Haven, Conn (M.C.)
| | - Lara Chalabreysse
- From the University of Lyon, National Institute of Applied Sciences of Lyon, University Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Jean Monnet University-Saint Etienne, French National Centre for Scientific Research, Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale, Centre de Recherche en Acquisition et Traitement de l'Image pour la Santé Unité mixte de recherche 5220, U1206, F-69621, Lyon, France (S.A.S.M., M.S., V.T.L., R.D., L.B., P.C.D.); Departments of Radiology (S.A.S.M., T.G., L.B., P.C.D.) and Pathology (L.C.), Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France; Department of Radiology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa (J.C.H., P.C.N., D.P.C.); Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Egypt (R.D.); and Department of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Immunology, Yale University, New Haven, Conn (M.C.)
| | - Pratap C Naha
- From the University of Lyon, National Institute of Applied Sciences of Lyon, University Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Jean Monnet University-Saint Etienne, French National Centre for Scientific Research, Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale, Centre de Recherche en Acquisition et Traitement de l'Image pour la Santé Unité mixte de recherche 5220, U1206, F-69621, Lyon, France (S.A.S.M., M.S., V.T.L., R.D., L.B., P.C.D.); Departments of Radiology (S.A.S.M., T.G., L.B., P.C.D.) and Pathology (L.C.), Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France; Department of Radiology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa (J.C.H., P.C.N., D.P.C.); Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Egypt (R.D.); and Department of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Immunology, Yale University, New Haven, Conn (M.C.)
| | - Thibaut Garrivier
- From the University of Lyon, National Institute of Applied Sciences of Lyon, University Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Jean Monnet University-Saint Etienne, French National Centre for Scientific Research, Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale, Centre de Recherche en Acquisition et Traitement de l'Image pour la Santé Unité mixte de recherche 5220, U1206, F-69621, Lyon, France (S.A.S.M., M.S., V.T.L., R.D., L.B., P.C.D.); Departments of Radiology (S.A.S.M., T.G., L.B., P.C.D.) and Pathology (L.C.), Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France; Department of Radiology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa (J.C.H., P.C.N., D.P.C.); Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Egypt (R.D.); and Department of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Immunology, Yale University, New Haven, Conn (M.C.)
| | - Riham Dessouky
- From the University of Lyon, National Institute of Applied Sciences of Lyon, University Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Jean Monnet University-Saint Etienne, French National Centre for Scientific Research, Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale, Centre de Recherche en Acquisition et Traitement de l'Image pour la Santé Unité mixte de recherche 5220, U1206, F-69621, Lyon, France (S.A.S.M., M.S., V.T.L., R.D., L.B., P.C.D.); Departments of Radiology (S.A.S.M., T.G., L.B., P.C.D.) and Pathology (L.C.), Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France; Department of Radiology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa (J.C.H., P.C.N., D.P.C.); Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Egypt (R.D.); and Department of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Immunology, Yale University, New Haven, Conn (M.C.)
| | - Miruna Carnaru
- From the University of Lyon, National Institute of Applied Sciences of Lyon, University Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Jean Monnet University-Saint Etienne, French National Centre for Scientific Research, Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale, Centre de Recherche en Acquisition et Traitement de l'Image pour la Santé Unité mixte de recherche 5220, U1206, F-69621, Lyon, France (S.A.S.M., M.S., V.T.L., R.D., L.B., P.C.D.); Departments of Radiology (S.A.S.M., T.G., L.B., P.C.D.) and Pathology (L.C.), Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France; Department of Radiology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa (J.C.H., P.C.N., D.P.C.); Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Egypt (R.D.); and Department of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Immunology, Yale University, New Haven, Conn (M.C.)
| | - Loic Boussel
- From the University of Lyon, National Institute of Applied Sciences of Lyon, University Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Jean Monnet University-Saint Etienne, French National Centre for Scientific Research, Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale, Centre de Recherche en Acquisition et Traitement de l'Image pour la Santé Unité mixte de recherche 5220, U1206, F-69621, Lyon, France (S.A.S.M., M.S., V.T.L., R.D., L.B., P.C.D.); Departments of Radiology (S.A.S.M., T.G., L.B., P.C.D.) and Pathology (L.C.), Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France; Department of Radiology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa (J.C.H., P.C.N., D.P.C.); Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Egypt (R.D.); and Department of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Immunology, Yale University, New Haven, Conn (M.C.)
| | - David P Cormode
- From the University of Lyon, National Institute of Applied Sciences of Lyon, University Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Jean Monnet University-Saint Etienne, French National Centre for Scientific Research, Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale, Centre de Recherche en Acquisition et Traitement de l'Image pour la Santé Unité mixte de recherche 5220, U1206, F-69621, Lyon, France (S.A.S.M., M.S., V.T.L., R.D., L.B., P.C.D.); Departments of Radiology (S.A.S.M., T.G., L.B., P.C.D.) and Pathology (L.C.), Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France; Department of Radiology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa (J.C.H., P.C.N., D.P.C.); Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Egypt (R.D.); and Department of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Immunology, Yale University, New Haven, Conn (M.C.)
| | - Philippe C Douek
- From the University of Lyon, National Institute of Applied Sciences of Lyon, University Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Jean Monnet University-Saint Etienne, French National Centre for Scientific Research, Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale, Centre de Recherche en Acquisition et Traitement de l'Image pour la Santé Unité mixte de recherche 5220, U1206, F-69621, Lyon, France (S.A.S.M., M.S., V.T.L., R.D., L.B., P.C.D.); Departments of Radiology (S.A.S.M., T.G., L.B., P.C.D.) and Pathology (L.C.), Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France; Department of Radiology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa (J.C.H., P.C.N., D.P.C.); Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Egypt (R.D.); and Department of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Immunology, Yale University, New Haven, Conn (M.C.)
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Sanchez-Cano C, Alvarez-Puebla RA, Abendroth JM, Beck T, Blick R, Cao Y, Caruso F, Chakraborty I, Chapman HN, Chen C, Cohen BE, Conceição ALC, Cormode DP, Cui D, Dawson KA, Falkenberg G, Fan C, Feliu N, Gao M, Gargioni E, Glüer CC, Grüner F, Hassan M, Hu Y, Huang Y, Huber S, Huse N, Kang Y, Khademhosseini A, Keller TF, Körnig C, Kotov NA, Koziej D, Liang XJ, Liu B, Liu S, Liu Y, Liu Z, Liz-Marzán LM, Ma X, Machicote A, Maison W, Mancuso AP, Megahed S, Nickel B, Otto F, Palencia C, Pascarelli S, Pearson A, Peñate-Medina O, Qi B, Rädler J, Richardson JJ, Rosenhahn A, Rothkamm K, Rübhausen M, Sanyal MK, Schaak RE, Schlemmer HP, Schmidt M, Schmutzler O, Schotten T, Schulz F, Sood AK, Spiers KM, Staufer T, Stemer DM, Stierle A, Sun X, Tsakanova G, Weiss PS, Weller H, Westermeier F, Xu M, Yan H, Zeng Y, Zhao Y, Zhao Y, Zhu D, Zhu Y, Parak WJ. X-ray-Based Techniques to Study the Nano-Bio Interface. ACS NANO 2021; 15:3754-3807. [PMID: 33650433 PMCID: PMC7992135 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.0c09563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
X-ray-based analytics are routinely applied in many fields, including physics, chemistry, materials science, and engineering. The full potential of such techniques in the life sciences and medicine, however, has not yet been fully exploited. We highlight current and upcoming advances in this direction. We describe different X-ray-based methodologies (including those performed at synchrotron light sources and X-ray free-electron lasers) and their potentials for application to investigate the nano-bio interface. The discussion is predominantly guided by asking how such methods could better help to understand and to improve nanoparticle-based drug delivery, though the concepts also apply to nano-bio interactions in general. We discuss current limitations and how they might be overcome, particularly for future use in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Sanchez-Cano
- Center
for Cooperative Research in Biomaterials (CIC biomaGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Paseo de Miramon 182, 20014 Donostia San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Ramon A. Alvarez-Puebla
- Universitat
Rovira i Virgili, 43007 Tarragona, Spain
- ICREA, Passeig Lluís
Companys 23, 08010 Barcelona, Spain
| | - John M. Abendroth
- Department
of Materials Science and Engineering, Stanford
University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Tobias Beck
- Mathematics,
Informatics, and Natural Sciences (MIN) Faculty, University of Hamburg, 20354 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Robert Blick
- Mathematics,
Informatics, and Natural Sciences (MIN) Faculty, University of Hamburg, 20354 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Yuan Cao
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Biointerfaces
Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Frank Caruso
- ARC
Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology
and the Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Indranath Chakraborty
- Mathematics,
Informatics, and Natural Sciences (MIN) Faculty, University of Hamburg, 20354 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Henry N. Chapman
- Mathematics,
Informatics, and Natural Sciences (MIN) Faculty, University of Hamburg, 20354 Hamburg, Germany
- Centre
for Ultrafast Imaging, Universität
Hamburg, 22761 Hamburg, Germany
- Deutsches
Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY, Notkestraße 85, 22607 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Chunying Chen
- National
Center for Nanoscience and Technology (NCNST), 100190 Beijing China
| | - Bruce E. Cohen
- The
Molecular Foundry and Division of Molecular Biophysics and Integrated
Bioimaging, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | | | - David P. Cormode
- Radiology
Department, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Daxiang Cui
- School
of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Frontiers Science Center for
Transformative Molecules and National Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | | | - Gerald Falkenberg
- Deutsches
Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY, Notkestraße 85, 22607 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Chunhai Fan
- School
of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Frontiers Science Center for
Transformative Molecules and National Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Neus Feliu
- Mathematics,
Informatics, and Natural Sciences (MIN) Faculty, University of Hamburg, 20354 Hamburg, Germany
- CAN, Fraunhofer Institut, 20146 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Mingyuan Gao
- Department
of Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Elisabetta Gargioni
- Department
of Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Claus-C. Glüer
- Section
Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology and Neuroradiology, University Medical Clinic Schleswig-Holstein and Christian-Albrechts-University
Kiel, 24105 Kiel, Germany
| | - Florian Grüner
- Mathematics,
Informatics, and Natural Sciences (MIN) Faculty, University of Hamburg, 20354 Hamburg, Germany
- Universität
Hamburg and Center for Free-Electron Laser Science, Luruper Chaussee 149, 22761 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Moustapha Hassan
- Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge, and Karolinska
Institutet, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Yong Hu
- College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Yalan Huang
- Mathematics,
Informatics, and Natural Sciences (MIN) Faculty, University of Hamburg, 20354 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Samuel Huber
- Department
of Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Nils Huse
- Mathematics,
Informatics, and Natural Sciences (MIN) Faculty, University of Hamburg, 20354 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Yanan Kang
- Mathematics,
Informatics, and Natural Sciences (MIN) Faculty, University of Hamburg, 20354 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ali Khademhosseini
- Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation, Los Angeles, California 90049, United States
| | - Thomas F. Keller
- Mathematics,
Informatics, and Natural Sciences (MIN) Faculty, University of Hamburg, 20354 Hamburg, Germany
- Deutsches
Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY, Notkestraße 85, 22607 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Christian Körnig
- Mathematics,
Informatics, and Natural Sciences (MIN) Faculty, University of Hamburg, 20354 Hamburg, Germany
- Universität
Hamburg and Center for Free-Electron Laser Science, Luruper Chaussee 149, 22761 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Nicholas A. Kotov
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Biointerfaces
Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Michigan
Institute for Translational Nanotechnology (MITRAN), Ypsilanti, Michigan 48198, United States
| | - Dorota Koziej
- Mathematics,
Informatics, and Natural Sciences (MIN) Faculty, University of Hamburg, 20354 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Xing-Jie Liang
- National
Center for Nanoscience and Technology (NCNST), 100190 Beijing China
| | - Beibei Liu
- Department
of Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Sijin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology,
Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085 China
| | - Yang Liu
- Mathematics,
Informatics, and Natural Sciences (MIN) Faculty, University of Hamburg, 20354 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ziyao Liu
- Mathematics,
Informatics, and Natural Sciences (MIN) Faculty, University of Hamburg, 20354 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Luis M. Liz-Marzán
- Center
for Cooperative Research in Biomaterials (CIC biomaGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Paseo de Miramon 182, 20014 Donostia San Sebastián, Spain
- Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science, 48013 Bilbao, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica
en Red de Bioingeniería,
Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Paseo de Miramon 182, 20014 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Xiaowei Ma
- National
Center for Nanoscience and Technology (NCNST), 100190 Beijing China
| | - Andres Machicote
- Department
of Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Maison
- Mathematics,
Informatics, and Natural Sciences (MIN) Faculty, University of Hamburg, 20354 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Adrian P. Mancuso
- European XFEL, 22869 Schenefeld, Germany
- Department of Chemistry and Physics, La
Trobe Institute for Molecular
Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne 3086, Victoria, Australia
| | - Saad Megahed
- Mathematics,
Informatics, and Natural Sciences (MIN) Faculty, University of Hamburg, 20354 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Bert Nickel
- Sektion Physik, Ludwig Maximilians Universität
München, 80539 München, Germany
| | - Ferdinand Otto
- Mathematics,
Informatics, and Natural Sciences (MIN) Faculty, University of Hamburg, 20354 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Cristina Palencia
- Mathematics,
Informatics, and Natural Sciences (MIN) Faculty, University of Hamburg, 20354 Hamburg, Germany
| | | | - Arwen Pearson
- Mathematics,
Informatics, and Natural Sciences (MIN) Faculty, University of Hamburg, 20354 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Oula Peñate-Medina
- Section
Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology and Neuroradiology, University Medical Clinic Schleswig-Holstein and Christian-Albrechts-University
Kiel, 24105 Kiel, Germany
| | - Bing Qi
- Mathematics,
Informatics, and Natural Sciences (MIN) Faculty, University of Hamburg, 20354 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Joachim Rädler
- Sektion Physik, Ludwig Maximilians Universität
München, 80539 München, Germany
| | - Joseph J. Richardson
- ARC
Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology
and the Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Axel Rosenhahn
- Department
of Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Kai Rothkamm
- Department
of Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Michael Rübhausen
- Mathematics,
Informatics, and Natural Sciences (MIN) Faculty, University of Hamburg, 20354 Hamburg, Germany
| | | | - Raymond E. Schaak
- Department of Chemistry, Department of Chemical Engineering,
and
Materials Research Institute, The Pennsylvania
State University, University Park, Pensylvania 16802, United States
| | - Heinz-Peter Schlemmer
- Department of Radiology, German Cancer
Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Marius Schmidt
- Department of Physics, University
of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 3135 N. Maryland Avenue, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53211, United States
| | - Oliver Schmutzler
- Mathematics,
Informatics, and Natural Sciences (MIN) Faculty, University of Hamburg, 20354 Hamburg, Germany
- Universität
Hamburg and Center for Free-Electron Laser Science, Luruper Chaussee 149, 22761 Hamburg, Germany
| | | | - Florian Schulz
- Mathematics,
Informatics, and Natural Sciences (MIN) Faculty, University of Hamburg, 20354 Hamburg, Germany
| | - A. K. Sood
- Department of Physics, Indian Institute
of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
| | - Kathryn M. Spiers
- Deutsches
Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY, Notkestraße 85, 22607 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Theresa Staufer
- Mathematics,
Informatics, and Natural Sciences (MIN) Faculty, University of Hamburg, 20354 Hamburg, Germany
- Universität
Hamburg and Center for Free-Electron Laser Science, Luruper Chaussee 149, 22761 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Dominik M. Stemer
- California NanoSystems Institute, University
of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
| | - Andreas Stierle
- Mathematics,
Informatics, and Natural Sciences (MIN) Faculty, University of Hamburg, 20354 Hamburg, Germany
- Deutsches
Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY, Notkestraße 85, 22607 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Xing Sun
- Mathematics,
Informatics, and Natural Sciences (MIN) Faculty, University of Hamburg, 20354 Hamburg, Germany
- Molecular Science and Biomedicine Laboratory (MBL) State
Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics College of Chemistry
and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, P.R. China
| | - Gohar Tsakanova
- Institute of Molecular Biology of National
Academy of Sciences of
Republic of Armenia, 7 Hasratyan str., 0014 Yerevan, Armenia
- CANDLE Synchrotron Research Institute, 31 Acharyan str., 0040 Yerevan, Armenia
| | - Paul S. Weiss
- California NanoSystems Institute, University
of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University
of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
- Department of Bioengineering, University
of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
| | - Horst Weller
- Mathematics,
Informatics, and Natural Sciences (MIN) Faculty, University of Hamburg, 20354 Hamburg, Germany
- CAN, Fraunhofer Institut, 20146 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Fabian Westermeier
- Deutsches
Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY, Notkestraße 85, 22607 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ming Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology,
Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085 China
| | - Huijie Yan
- Mathematics,
Informatics, and Natural Sciences (MIN) Faculty, University of Hamburg, 20354 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Yuan Zeng
- Mathematics,
Informatics, and Natural Sciences (MIN) Faculty, University of Hamburg, 20354 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ying Zhao
- Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge, and Karolinska
Institutet, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Yuliang Zhao
- National
Center for Nanoscience and Technology (NCNST), 100190 Beijing China
| | - Dingcheng Zhu
- Mathematics,
Informatics, and Natural Sciences (MIN) Faculty, University of Hamburg, 20354 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ying Zhu
- Bioimaging Center, Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility,
Zhangjiang Laboratory, Shanghai Advanced Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201210, China
- Division of Physical Biology, CAS Key Laboratory
of Interfacial
Physics and Technology, Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201800, China
| | - Wolfgang J. Parak
- Center
for Cooperative Research in Biomaterials (CIC biomaGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Paseo de Miramon 182, 20014 Donostia San Sebastián, Spain
- Mathematics,
Informatics, and Natural Sciences (MIN) Faculty, University of Hamburg, 20354 Hamburg, Germany
- School
of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Frontiers Science Center for
Transformative Molecules and National Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
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39
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Feasibility of lung imaging with a large field-of-view spectral photon-counting CT system. Diagn Interv Imaging 2021; 102:305-312. [PMID: 33610503 DOI: 10.1016/j.diii.2021.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Revised: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to characterize the technical capabilities and feasibility of a large field-of-view clinical spectral photon-counting computed tomography (SPCCT) prototype for high-resolution (HR) lung imaging. MATERIALS AND METHODS Measurement of modulation transfer function (MTF) and acquisition of a line pairs phantom were performed. An anthropomorphic lung nodule phantom was scanned with standard (120kVp, 62mAs), low (120kVp, 11mAs), and ultra-low (80kVp, 3mAs) radiation doses. A human volunteer underwent standard (120kVp, 63mAs) and low (120kVp, 11mAs) dose scans after approval by the ethics committee. HR images were reconstructed with 1024 matrix, 300mm field of view and 0.25mm slice thickness using a filtered-back projection (FBP) and two levels of iterative reconstruction (iDose 5 and 9). The conspicuity and sharpness of various lung structures (distal airways, vessels, fissures and proximal bronchial wall), image noise, and overall image quality were independently analyzed by three radiologists and compared to a previous HR lung CT examination of the same volunteer performed with a conventional CT equipped with energy integrating detectors (120kVp, 10mAs, FBP). RESULTS Ten percent MTF was measured at 22.3lp/cm with a cut-off at 31lp/cm. Up to 28lp/cm were depicted. While mixed and solid nodules were easily depicted on standard and low-dose phantom images, higher iDose levels and slice thicknesses (1mm) were needed to visualize ground-glass components on ultra-low-dose images. Standard dose SPCCT images of in vivo lung structures were of greater conspicuity and sharpness, with greater overall image quality, and similar image noise (despite a flux reduction of 23%) to conventional CT images. Low-dose SPCCT images were of greater or similar conspicuity and sharpness, similar overall image quality, and lower but acceptable image noise (despite a flux reduction of 89%). CONCLUSIONS A large field-of-view SPCCT prototype demonstrates HR technical capabilities and high image quality for high resolution lung CT in human.
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Wehrse E, Klein L, Rotkopf LT, Wagner WL, Uhrig M, Heußel CP, Ziener CH, Delorme S, Heinze S, Kachelrieß M, Schlemmer HP, Sawall S. Photon-counting detectors in computed tomography: from quantum physics to clinical practice. Radiologe 2021; 61:1-10. [PMID: 33598788 DOI: 10.1007/s00117-021-00812-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Over the last decade, a fundamentally new type of computed tomography (CT) detectors has proved its superior capabilities in both physical and preclinical evaluations and is now approaching the stage of clinical practice. These detectors are able to discriminate single photons and quantify their energy and are hence called photon-counting detectors. Among the promising benefits of this technology are improved radiation dose efficiency, increased contrast-to-noise ratio, reduced metal artifacts, improved spatial resolution, simultaneous multi-energy acquisitions, and the prospect of multi-phase imaging within a single acquisition using multiple contrast agents. Taking the conventional energy-integrating detectors as a reference, the authors demonstrate the technical principles of this new technology and provide phantom and patient images acquired by a whole-body photon-counting CT. These images serve as a basis for discussing the potential future of clinical CT.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Wehrse
- Division of Radiology, German Cancer Research Center, Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.
- Medical Faculty, Ruprecht-Karls-University Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - L Klein
- Division of X-Ray Imaging and Computed Tomography, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - L T Rotkopf
- Division of Radiology, German Cancer Research Center, Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - W L Wagner
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- Translational Lung Research Center Heidelberg, German Center for Lung Research, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - M Uhrig
- Division of Radiology, German Cancer Research Center, Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - C P Heußel
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- Translational Lung Research Center Heidelberg, German Center for Lung Research, Heidelberg, Germany
- Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology with Nuclear Medicine, Thoraxklinik, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - C H Ziener
- Division of Radiology, German Cancer Research Center, Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - S Delorme
- Division of Radiology, German Cancer Research Center, Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - S Heinze
- Institute of Forensic and Traffic Medicine, University Hospital Heidelberg, Voßstraße 2, 69115, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - M Kachelrieß
- Medical Faculty, Ruprecht-Karls-University Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- Division of X-Ray Imaging and Computed Tomography, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - H-P Schlemmer
- Division of Radiology, German Cancer Research Center, Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - S Sawall
- Medical Faculty, Ruprecht-Karls-University Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- Division of X-Ray Imaging and Computed Tomography, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
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Abstract
The introduction of photon-counting detectors is expected to be the next major breakthrough in clinical x-ray computed tomography (CT). During the last decade, there has been considerable research activity in the field of photon-counting CT, in terms of both hardware development and theoretical understanding of the factors affecting image quality. In this article, we review the recent progress in this field with the intent of highlighting the relationship between detector design considerations and the resulting image quality. We discuss detector design choices such as converter material, pixel size, and readout electronics design, and then elucidate their impact on detector performance in terms of dose efficiency, spatial resolution, and energy resolution. Furthermore, we give an overview of data processing, reconstruction methods and metrics of imaging performance; outline clinical applications; and discuss potential future developments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mats Danielsson
- Department of Physics, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, AlbaNova University Center, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden. Prismatic Sensors AB, AlbaNova University Center, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
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Jenkins PJB, Schmidt TG. Experimental study of photon-counting CT neural network material decomposition under conditions of pulse pileup. J Med Imaging (Bellingham) 2021; 8:013502. [PMID: 33447645 PMCID: PMC7797008 DOI: 10.1117/1.jmi.8.1.013502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose: We investigated the performance of a neural network (NN) material decomposition method under varying pileup conditions. Approach: Experiments were performed at tube current settings that provided count rates incident on the detector through air equal to 9%, 14%, 27%, 40%, and 54% of the maximum detector count rate. An NN was trained for each count-rate level using transmission measurements through known thicknesses of basis materials (PMMA and aluminum). The NN trained for each count-rate level was applied to x-ray transmission measurements through test materials and to CT data of a rod phantom. Material decomposition error was evaluated as the distance in basis material space between the estimated thicknesses and ground truth. Results: There was no clear trend between count-rate level and material decomposition error for all test materials except neoprene. As an example result, Teflon error was 0.33 cm at the 9% count-rate level and 0.12 cm at the 54% count-rate level for the x-ray transmission experiments. Decomposition error increased with count-rate level for the neoprene test case, with 0.65-cm error at 9% count-rate level and 1.14-cm error at the 54% count-rate level. In the CT study, material decomposition error decreased with increasing incident count rate. For example, the material decomposition error for Teflon was 0.089, 0.066, 0.054 at count-rate levels of 14%, 27%, and 40%, respectively. Conclusions: Results demonstrate over a range of incident count-rate levels that an NN trained at a specific count-rate level can learn the relationship between photon-counting spectral measurements and basis material thicknesses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parker J B Jenkins
- Marquette University and Medical College of Wisconsin, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Milwaukee, United States
| | - Taly Gilat Schmidt
- Marquette University and Medical College of Wisconsin, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Milwaukee, United States
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Review of Technical Advancements and Clinical Applications of Photon-counting Computed Tomography in Imaging of the Thorax. J Thorac Imaging 2021; 36:84-94. [PMID: 33399350 DOI: 10.1097/rti.0000000000000569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Photon-counting computed tomography (CT) is a developing technology that has the potential to address some limitations of CT imaging and bring about improvements and potentially new applications to this field. Photon-counting detectors have a fundamentally different detection mechanism from conventional CT energy-integrating detectors that can improve dose efficiency, spatial resolution, and energy-discrimination capabilities. In the past decade, promising human studies have been reported in the literature that have demonstrated benefits of this relatively new technology for various clinical applications. In this review, we provide a succinct description of the photon-counting detector technology and its detection mechanism in comparison with energy-integrating detectors in a manner understandable for clinicians and radiologists, introduce benefits and some of the existing challenges present in this technology, and provide an overview of the current status and potential clinical applications of this technology in imaging of the thorax by providing example images acquired with an investigational whole-body photon-counting CT scanner.
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Wehrse E, Sawall S, Klein L, Glemser P, Delorme S, Schlemmer HP, Kachelrieß M, Uhrig M, Ziener CH, Rotkopf LT. Potential of ultra-high-resolution photon-counting CT of bone metastases: initial experiences in breast cancer patients. NPJ Breast Cancer 2021; 7:3. [PMID: 33398008 PMCID: PMC7782694 DOI: 10.1038/s41523-020-00207-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2020] [Accepted: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Conventional CT scanners use energy-integrating detectors (EIDs). Photon-counting detector (PCD) computed tomography (CT) utilizes a CT detector technology based on smaller detector pixels capable of counting single photons and in addition discriminating their energy. Goal of this study was to explore the potential of higher spatial resolution for imaging of bone metastases. Four female patients with histologically confirmed breast cancer and bone metastases were included between July and October 2019. All patients underwent conventional EID CT scans followed by a high resolution non-contrast experimental PCD CT scan. Ultra-high resolution (UHR) reconstruction kernels were used to reconstruct axial slices with voxel sizes of 0.3 mm × 0.3 mm (inplane) × 1 mm (z-direction). Four radiologists blinded for patient identity assessed the images and compared the quality to conventional CT using a qualitative Likert scale. In this case series, we present images of bone metastases in breast cancer patients using an experimental PCD CT scanner and ultra-high-resolution kernels. A tendency to both a smaller inter-reader variability in the structural assessment of lesion sizes and in the readers' opinion to an improved visualization of lesion margins and content was observed. In conclusion, while further studies are warranted, PCD CT has a high potential for therapy monitoring in breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Wehrse
- Division of Radiology, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany.
- Medical Faculty, Ruprecht-Karls-University Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - S Sawall
- Medical Faculty, Ruprecht-Karls-University Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- Division of X-Ray Imaging and Computed Tomography, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - L Klein
- Division of X-Ray Imaging and Computed Tomography, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - P Glemser
- Division of Radiology, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - S Delorme
- Division of Radiology, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - H-P Schlemmer
- Division of Radiology, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - M Kachelrieß
- Medical Faculty, Ruprecht-Karls-University Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- Division of X-Ray Imaging and Computed Tomography, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - M Uhrig
- Division of Radiology, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - C H Ziener
- Division of Radiology, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - L T Rotkopf
- Division of Radiology, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
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A Universal Protocol for Abdominal CT Examinations Performed on a Photon-Counting Detector CT System: A Feasibility Study. Invest Radiol 2020; 55:226-232. [PMID: 32049691 DOI: 10.1097/rli.0000000000000634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aims of this study were to investigate the feasibility of using a universal abdominal acquisition protocol on a photon-counting detector computed tomography (PCD-CT) system and to compare its performance to that of single-energy (SE) and dual-energy (DE) CT using energy-integrating detectors (EIDs). METHODS Iodine inserts of various concentrations and sizes were embedded into different sizes of adult abdominal phantoms. Phantoms were scanned on a research PCD-CT and a clinical EID-CT with SE and DE modes. Virtual monoenergetic images (VMIs) were generated from PCD-CT and DE mode of EID-CT. For each image type and phantom size, contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) was measured for each iodine insert and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) for iodine detectability was calculated using a channelized Hotelling observer. The optimal energy (in kiloelectrovolt) of VMIs was determined separately as the one with highest CNR and the one with the highest AUC. The PCD-CT VMIs at the optimal energy were then compared with DE VMIs and SE images in terms of CNR and AUC. RESULTS Virtual monoenergetic image at 50 keV had both the highest CNR and highest AUC for PCD-CT and DECT. For 1.0 mg I/mL iodine and 35 cm phantom, the CNRs of 50 keV VMIs from PCD-CT (2.01 ± 0.67) and DE (1.96 ± 0.52) were significantly higher (P < 0.001, Wilcoxon signed-rank test) than SE images (1.11 ± 0.35). The AUC of PCD-CT (0.98 ± 0.01) was comparable to SE (0.98 ± 0.01), and both were slightly lower than DE (0.99 ± 0.01, P < 0.01, Wilcoxon signed-rank test). A similar trend was observed for other phantom sizes and iodine concentrations. CONCLUSIONS Virtual monoenergetic images at a fixed energy from a universal acquisition protocol on PCD-CT demonstrated higher iodine CNR and comparable iodine detectability than SECT images, and similar performance compared with DE VMIs.
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Kwan AC, Pourmorteza A, Stutman D, Bluemke DA, Lima JAC. Next-Generation Hardware Advances in CT: Cardiac Applications. Radiology 2020; 298:3-17. [PMID: 33201793 DOI: 10.1148/radiol.2020192791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Impending major hardware advances in cardiac CT include three areas: ultra-high-resolution (UHR) CT, photon-counting CT, and phase-contrast CT. Cardiac CT is a particularly demanding CT application that requires a high degree of temporal resolution, spatial resolution, and soft-tissue contrast in a moving structure. In this review, cardiac CT is used to highlight the strengths of these technical advances. UHR CT improves visualization of calcified and stented vessels but may result in increased noise and radiation exposure. Photon-counting CT uses multiple photon energies to reduce artifacts, improve contrast resolution, and perform material decomposition. Finally, phase-contrast CT uses x-ray refraction properties to improve spatial and soft-tissue contrast. This review describes these hardware advances in CT and their relevance to cardiovascular imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan C Kwan
- From the Smidt Heart Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 127 S San Vicente Blvd, AHSP, Suite A3600, Los Angeles, CA 90048-0750 (A.C.K.); Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, Ga (A.P.); Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, Ga (A.P.); Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology-Emory University, Atlanta, Ga (A.P.); Department of Physics and Astronomy, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Md (D.S.); Extreme Light Infrastructure-Nuclear Physics, Bucharest-Magurele, Romania (D.S.); Department of Radiology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wis (D.A.B.); and Department of Cardiology, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Md (J.A.C.L.)
| | - Amir Pourmorteza
- From the Smidt Heart Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 127 S San Vicente Blvd, AHSP, Suite A3600, Los Angeles, CA 90048-0750 (A.C.K.); Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, Ga (A.P.); Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, Ga (A.P.); Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology-Emory University, Atlanta, Ga (A.P.); Department of Physics and Astronomy, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Md (D.S.); Extreme Light Infrastructure-Nuclear Physics, Bucharest-Magurele, Romania (D.S.); Department of Radiology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wis (D.A.B.); and Department of Cardiology, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Md (J.A.C.L.)
| | - Dan Stutman
- From the Smidt Heart Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 127 S San Vicente Blvd, AHSP, Suite A3600, Los Angeles, CA 90048-0750 (A.C.K.); Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, Ga (A.P.); Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, Ga (A.P.); Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology-Emory University, Atlanta, Ga (A.P.); Department of Physics and Astronomy, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Md (D.S.); Extreme Light Infrastructure-Nuclear Physics, Bucharest-Magurele, Romania (D.S.); Department of Radiology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wis (D.A.B.); and Department of Cardiology, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Md (J.A.C.L.)
| | - David A Bluemke
- From the Smidt Heart Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 127 S San Vicente Blvd, AHSP, Suite A3600, Los Angeles, CA 90048-0750 (A.C.K.); Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, Ga (A.P.); Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, Ga (A.P.); Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology-Emory University, Atlanta, Ga (A.P.); Department of Physics and Astronomy, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Md (D.S.); Extreme Light Infrastructure-Nuclear Physics, Bucharest-Magurele, Romania (D.S.); Department of Radiology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wis (D.A.B.); and Department of Cardiology, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Md (J.A.C.L.)
| | - João A C Lima
- From the Smidt Heart Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 127 S San Vicente Blvd, AHSP, Suite A3600, Los Angeles, CA 90048-0750 (A.C.K.); Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, Ga (A.P.); Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, Ga (A.P.); Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology-Emory University, Atlanta, Ga (A.P.); Department of Physics and Astronomy, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Md (D.S.); Extreme Light Infrastructure-Nuclear Physics, Bucharest-Magurele, Romania (D.S.); Department of Radiology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wis (D.A.B.); and Department of Cardiology, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Md (J.A.C.L.)
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Singh R, Wu W, Wang G, Kalra MK. Artificial intelligence in image reconstruction: The change is here. Phys Med 2020; 79:113-125. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmp.2020.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Revised: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 11/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
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Flohr T, Petersilka M, Henning A, Ulzheimer S, Ferda J, Schmidt B. Photon-counting CT review. Phys Med 2020; 79:126-136. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmp.2020.10.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2020] [Revised: 10/26/2020] [Accepted: 10/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
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Ji X, Zhang R, Li K, Chen GH. Dual Energy Differential Phase Contrast CT (DE-DPC-CT) Imaging. IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON MEDICAL IMAGING 2020; 39:3278-3289. [PMID: 32340940 PMCID: PMC7584735 DOI: 10.1109/tmi.2020.2990347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
When more than two elemental materials are present in a given object, material quantification may not be robust and accurate when the routine two-material decomposition scheme in current dual energy CT imaging is employed. In this work, we present an innovative scheme to accomplish accurate three-material decomposition with measurements from a dual energy differential phase contrast CT (DE-DPC-CT) acquisition. A DE-DPC-CT system was constructed using a grating interferometer and a photon counting CT imaging system with two energy bins. The DE-DPC-CT system can simultaneously measure both the imaginary and the real part of the complex refractive index to enable a three-material decomposition. Physical phantom with 21 material inserts were constructed and measured using DE-DPC-CT system. Results demonstrated excellent accuracy in elemental material quantification. For example, relative root-mean-square errors of 4.5% for calcium and 5.2% for iodine were achieved using the proposed three-material decomposition scheme. Biological tissues with iodine inserts were used to demonstrate the potential utility of the proposed spectral CT imaging method. Experimental results showed that the proposed method correctly differentiates the bony structure, iodine, and the soft tissue in the biological specimen samples. A triple spectra CT scan was also performed to benchmark the performance of the DE-DPC-CT scan. Results demonstrated that the material decomposition from the DE-DPC-CT has a much lower quantification noise than that from the triple spectra CT scan.
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Pickford Scienti OLP, Bamber JC, Darambara DG. CdTe Based Energy Resolving, X-ray Photon Counting Detector Performance Assessment: The Effects of Charge Sharing Correction Algorithm Choice. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2020; 20:E6093. [PMID: 33120903 PMCID: PMC7663711 DOI: 10.3390/s20216093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 10/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Most modern energy resolving, photon counting detectors employ small (sub 1 mm) pixels for high spatial resolution and low per pixel count rate requirements. These small pixels can suffer from a range of charge sharing effects (CSEs) that degrade both spectral analysis and imaging metrics. A range of charge sharing correction algorithms (CSCAs) have been proposed and validated by different groups to reduce CSEs, however their performance is often compared solely to the same system when no such corrections are made. In this paper, a combination of Monte Carlo and finite element methods are used to compare six different CSCAs with the case where no CSCA is employed, with respect to four different metrics: absolute detection efficiency, photopeak detection efficiency, relative coincidence counts, and binned spectral efficiency. The performance of the various CSCAs is explored when running on systems with pixel pitches ranging from 100 µm to 600µm, in 50 µm increments, and fluxes from 106 to 108 photons mm-2 s-1 are considered. Novel mechanistic explanations for the difference in performance of the various CSCAs are proposed and supported. This work represents a subset of a larger project in which pixel pitch, thickness, flux, and CSCA are all varied systematically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver L. P. Pickford Scienti
- Joint Department of Physics, Institute of Cancer Research and Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London SM2 5NG, UK; (J.C.B.); (D.G.D.)
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