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Shan S, Zhao X, Wood-Trageser MA, Hu D, Liu L, Qi B, Jian J, Wang P, Lv W, Hu C. Obliteration of portal venules contributes to portal hypertension in biliary cirrhosis. J Pathol 2024; 263:178-189. [PMID: 38551075 DOI: 10.1002/path.6273] [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: 08/08/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
The effects of the obliteration of portal venules (OPV) in cirrhotic portal hypertension are poorly understood. To investigate its contribution to portal hypertension in biliary cirrhosis and its underlying mechanism, we evaluated OPV using two-dimensional (2D) histopathology in liver explants from patients with biliary atresia (BA, n = 63), primary biliary cholangitis (PBC, n = 18), and hepatitis B-related cirrhosis (Hep-B-cirrhosis, n = 35). Then, three-dimensional (3D) OPV was measured by X-ray phase-contrast CT in two parallel models in rats following bile duct ligation (BDL) or carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) administration, representing biliary cirrhosis and post-necrotic cirrhosis, respectively. The portal pressure was also measured in the two models. Finally, the effects of proliferative bile ducts on OPV were investigated. We found that OPV was significantly more frequent in patients with biliary cirrhosis, including BA (78.57 ± 16.45%) and PBC (60.00 ± 17.15%), than that in Hep-B-cirrhotic patients (29.43 ± 14.94%, p < 0.001). OPV occurred earlier, evidenced by the paired liver biopsy at a Kasai procedure (KP), and was irreversible even after a successful KP in the patients with BA. OPV was also significantly more frequent in the BDL models than in the CCl4 models, as shown by 2D and 3D quantitative analysis. Portal pressure was significantly higher in the BDL model than that in the CCl4 model. With the proliferation of bile ducts, portal venules were compressed and irreversibly occluded, contributing to the earlier and higher portal pressure in biliary cirrhosis. OPV, as a pre-sinusoidal component, plays a key role in the pathogenesis of portal hypertension in biliary cirrhosis. The proliferated bile ducts and ductules gradually take up the 'territory' originally attributed to portal venules and compress the portal venules, which may lead to OPV in biliary cirrhosis. © 2024 The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shan Shan
- Liver Research Center, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, PR China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine in Liver Cirrhosis and National Clinical Research Center of Digestive Disease, Beijing, PR China
| | - Xinyan Zhao
- Liver Research Center, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, PR China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine in Liver Cirrhosis and National Clinical Research Center of Digestive Disease, Beijing, PR China
| | | | - Doudou Hu
- The Second Department of Gastroenterology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao, Shandong, PR China
| | - Liwei Liu
- Liver Research Center, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, PR China
| | - Beining Qi
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, PR China
| | - Jianbo Jian
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, PR China
| | - Ping Wang
- Liver Research Center, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, PR China
| | - Wenjuan Lv
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, PR China
| | - Chunhong Hu
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, PR China
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2
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Zhao Y, Zheng M, Li Y, Han S, Li F, Qi B, Liu D, Hu C. Suppressing multi-material and streak artifacts with an accelerated 3D iterative image reconstruction algorithm for in-line X-ray phase-contrast computed tomography. OPTICS EXPRESS 2022; 30:19684-19704. [PMID: 36221738 DOI: 10.1364/oe.459924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
In-line X-ray phase-contrast computed tomography typically contains two independent procedures: phase retrieval and computed tomography reconstruction, in which multi-material and streak artifacts are two important problems. To address these problems simultaneously, an accelerated 3D iterative image reconstruction algorithm is proposed. It merges the above-mentioned two procedures into one step, and establishes the data fidelity term in raw projection domain while introducing 3D total variation regularization term in image domain. Specifically, a transport-of-intensity equation (TIE)-based phase retrieval method is updated alternately for different areas of the multi-material sample. Simulation and experimental results validate the effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed algorithm.
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3
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Xin X, Xu H, Jian J, Lv W, Zhao Y, Li Y, Zhao X, Hu C. A method of three-dimensional branching geometry to differentiate the intrahepatic vascular type in early-stage liver fibrosis using X-ray phase-contrast CT. Eur J Radiol 2022; 148:110178. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2022.110178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2021] [Revised: 01/09/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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Li Y, Zhao Y, Ji D, Han S, Zheng M, Lv W, Xin X, Li F, Zhao X, Liu D, Hu C. 3D ring artifacts removal algorithm combined low-rank tensor decomposition with spatial-sequential total variation regularization and its application in phase-contrast microtomography. Med Phys 2021; 49:393-410. [PMID: 34854084 DOI: 10.1002/mp.15387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 11/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE High-resolution synchrotron radiation X-ray phase contrast microtomography (PC-μCT) images often suffer from severe ring artifacts, which are mainly caused by undesirable responses of detector elements. In the medical imaging field, the existence of ring artifacts can lead to degraded visual quality and can directly affect diagnosis accuracy. Thus, removing or at least effectively reducing ring artifacts is indispensable. METHOD The existing ring artifacts removal algorithms mainly focus on two-dimensional (matrix-based) priors, and these algorithms fail to consider correlations hidden in sequential computed tomography (CT) images. This paper proposed a novel three-dimensional (tensor-based) ring artifacts removal algorithm for synchrotron radiation X-ray PC-μCT images. In the sinogram domain, ring artifacts manifest as vertical stripe artifacts. From an image decomposition perspective, a degraded sinogram can be decomposed into a stripe artifacts component and an underlying clean sinogram component. The proposed algorithm is designed to detect and remove stripe artifacts from a degraded sinogram by fully identifying the characteristics of the two components. Specifically, for the stripe artifacts component, tensor Tucker decomposition is used to describe its low-rank character. For the underlying clean sinogram component, spatial-sequential total variation regularization is adopted to enhance the piecewise smoothness. Moreover, the Frobenius norm term is further used to model Gaussian noise. An efficient augmented Lagrange multiplier method is designed to solve the proposed optimization model. RESULTS The proposed method is evaluated utilizing both simulations and real data containing different ring artifacts patterns. In the simulations, the human chest CT images are used for evaluating the proposed method. We compare the peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR), structural similarity (SSIM), and mean absolute error (MAE) results of our algorithm with the Naghia's method, the RRRTV method, the wavelet-FFT method, and the SDRSD-GIF method. The proposed method was also evaluated on real data from rat liver samples and rat tooth samples. Our proposed method outperforms the competing methods in terms of both qualitative and quantitative evaluation results. Additionally, the 3D visualization results were presented to make the ring artifacts removal effect more intuitive. CONCLUSION The experimental results on simulations and real data clearly demonstrated that the proposed algorithm can significantly improve the quality of PC-μCT images compared with the existing popular algorithms, and it has great potential to promote the application of high-resolution imaging for visualizing biological tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yimin Li
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yuqing Zhao
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Dongjiang Ji
- The School of Science, Tianjin University of Technology and Education, Tianjin, China
| | - Shuo Han
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Mengting Zheng
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Wenjuan Lv
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiaohong Xin
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Fangzhi Li
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xinyan Zhao
- Liver Research Center, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine in Liver Cirrhosis and National Clinical Research Center of Digestive Disease, Beijing, China
| | - Dayong Liu
- School of Stomatology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Chunhong Hu
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
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Wagner WL, Föhst S, Hock J, Kim YO, Popov Y, Schuppan D, Schladitz K, Redenbach C, Ackermann M. 3D analysis of microvasculature in murine liver fibrosis models using synchrotron radiation-based microtomography. Angiogenesis 2021; 24:57-65. [PMID: 33037487 PMCID: PMC7920893 DOI: 10.1007/s10456-020-09751-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Cirrhosis describes the development of excess fibrous tissue around regenerative nodules in response to chronic liver injury and usually leads to irreversible organ damage and end-stage liver disease. During the development of cirrhosis, the formation of collagenous scar tissue is paralleled by a reorganization and remodeling of the hepatic vascular system. To date, macrovascular remodeling in various cirrhosis models has been examined using three-dimensional (3D) imaging modalities, while microvascular changes have been studied mainly by two-dimensional (2D) light microscopic and electron microscopic imaging. Here, we report on the application of high-resolution 3D synchrotron radiation-based microtomography (SRμCT) for the study of the sinusoidal and capillary blood vessel system in three murine models of advanced parenchymal and biliary hepatic fibrosis. SRμCT facilitates the characterization of microvascular architecture and identifies features of intussusceptive angiogenesis in progressive liver fibrosis in a non-destructive 3D manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Willi L Wagner
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- Translational Lung Research Center, Member of the German Center for Lung Research, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sonja Föhst
- Mathematics Department, Technische Universität Kaiserslautern, Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Jessica Hock
- Institute of Functional and Clinical Anatomy, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Johann-Joachim-Becher-Weg 13, 55128, Mainz, Germany
| | - Yong Ook Kim
- Institute of Translational Immunology and Research Center for Immune Therapy (FZI), University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Yury Popov
- Division of Gastroenterology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Detlef Schuppan
- Institute of Translational Immunology and Research Center for Immune Therapy (FZI), University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany
- Division of Gastroenterology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Katja Schladitz
- Image Processing Department, Fraunhofer ITWM, Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Claudia Redenbach
- Mathematics Department, Technische Universität Kaiserslautern, Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Maximilian Ackermann
- Institute of Functional and Clinical Anatomy, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Johann-Joachim-Becher-Weg 13, 55128, Mainz, Germany.
- Institute of Pathology and Molecular Pathology, Helios University Clinic Wuppertal, University of Witten-Herdecke, Wuppertal, Germany.
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6
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Sun M, Lv W, Zhao X, Qin L, Zhao Y, Xin X, Jian J, Chen X, Hu C. Vascular branching geometry relating to portal hypertension: a study of liver microvasculature in cirrhotic rats by X-ray phase-contrast computed tomography. Quant Imaging Med Surg 2020; 10:116-127. [PMID: 31956535 DOI: 10.21037/qims.2019.11.04] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Background Portal hypertension is one of the major complications of cirrhosis. The changes in hepatic microvasculature are considered as critical pathophysiological characteristics of portal hypertension. X-ray phase-contrast computed tomography (PCCT) is a new imaging technique that can detect liver vessels at a micrometric level without contrast agents. Methods In this study, male Sprague-Dawley rats with liver cirrhosis induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) or bile duct ligation (BDL) were investigated with PCCT. The portal pressures of rats were recorded before euthanasia. The branch angle and Murray's deviation (MD) were measured based on the branching geometry of the three-dimensional (3D) microvasculature of liver cirrhosis in rats. Statistical analyses were performed to determine the correlation between branching geometry and portal pressure in liver fibrosis. Results The results demonstrated that the branch angle and MD significantly increased in the CCl4 model and BDL model compared with their corresponding normal group or sham group. The portal pressure was significantly correlated with the branching morphologic features (all R≥0.761 and P<0.01). Conclusions The branch angle and MD could accurately distinguish portal pressure in cirrhotic rats, suggesting that branching geometric characteristics of the microvasculature may be a promising marker in the prognosis of portal hypertension in liver cirrhosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengyu Sun
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Wenjuan Lv
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Xinyan Zhao
- Liver Research Center, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Lili Qin
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Yuqing Zhao
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Xiaohong Xin
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Jianbo Jian
- Radiation Oncology Department, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Xiaodong Chen
- Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Information Technology, Ministry of Education (Tianjin University), Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Chunhong Hu
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China
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7
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Phase-contrast computed tomography: A correlation study between portal pressure and three dimensional microvasculature of ex vivo liver samples from carbon tetrachloride-induced liver fibrosis in rats. Microvasc Res 2019; 125:103884. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mvr.2019.103884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2019] [Revised: 05/23/2019] [Accepted: 06/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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8
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Jian J, Zhao X, Qin L, Zhao Y, Sun M, Lv W, Hu C. Three-dimensional visualization of fibrous tissues in cirrhotic rats via X-ray phase-contrast computed tomography with iodine staining. JOURNAL OF SYNCHROTRON RADIATION 2019; 26:1354-1360. [PMID: 31274464 DOI: 10.1107/s1600577519006064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2018] [Accepted: 04/30/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
To accurately characterize cirrhosis, knowledge of the 3D fibrous structures is essential. Histology is the gold standard in cirrhosis screening, but it mainly provides structural information in 2D planes and destroys the 3D samples in the process. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of X-ray phase-contrast computed tomography (PCCT) with iodine staining for the 3D nondestructive visualization of internal structural details in entire cirrhotic livers with histopathologic correlation. In this study, cirrhotic livers induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) in rats were imaged via PCCT and then histopathologically processed. Characteristics of the cirrhosis, i.e. abnormal nodules surrounded by annular fibrosis, were established and a 3D reconstruction of these structures was also performed via PCCT. Fibrosis area, septal width and nodular size were measured and the correlation for these quantitative measurements between PCCT and histopathologic findings was analyzed. The results showed that fibrous bands, small nodules and angio-architecture in cirrhosis were clearly presented in the PCCT images, with histopathologic findings as standard reference. In comparison with histopathology, PCCT was associated with a very close value for fibrosis area, septal width and nodular size. The quantitative measurements showed a strong correlation between PCCT and histopathology. Additionally, the 3D structures of fibrous bands and microvasculature were presented simultaneously. PCCT provides excellent results in the assessment of cirrhosis characteristics and 3D presentation of these feature structures compared with histopathology. Thus, the technique may serve as an adjunct nondestructive 3D modality for cirrhosis characterization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianbo Jian
- College of Biomedical Engineering, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, People's Republic of China
| | - Xinyan Zhao
- Liver Research Center, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, People's Republic of China
| | - Lili Qin
- College of Biomedical Engineering, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuqing Zhao
- College of Biomedical Engineering, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, People's Republic of China
| | - Mengyu Sun
- College of Biomedical Engineering, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenjuan Lv
- College of Biomedical Engineering, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, People's Republic of China
| | - Chunhong Hu
- College of Biomedical Engineering, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, People's Republic of China
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Duan J, Hu C, Qiu Q, Zhang J, Meng H, Wang K, Dong H, Wei H, Yin Y. Characterization of microvessels and parenchyma in in-line phase contrast imaging CT: healthy liver, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Quant Imaging Med Surg 2019; 9:1037-1046. [PMID: 31367557 DOI: 10.21037/qims.2019.06.12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Background Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a cancer with a poor prognosis, and approximately 80% of HCC cases develop from cirrhosis. Imaging techniques in the clinic seem to be insufficient for revealing the microstructures of liver disease. In recent years, phase contrast imaging CT (PCI-CT) has opened new avenues for biomedical applications owing to its unprecedented spatial and contrast resolution. The aim of this study was to present three-dimensional (3D) visualization of human healthy liver, cirrhosis and HCC using a PCI-CT technique called in-line phase contrast imaging CT (ILPCI-CT) and to quantitatively evaluate the variations of these tissues, focusing on the liver parenchyma and microvasculature. Methods Tissue samples from 9 surgical specimens of normal liver (n=3), cirrhotic liver (n=2), and HCC (n=4) were imaged using ILPCI-CT at the Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility (SSRF) without contrast agents. 3D visualization of all ex vivo liver samples are presented. To quantitatively evaluate the vessel features, the vessel branch angles of each sample were clearly depicted. Additionally, radiomic features of the liver parenchyma extracted from the 3D images were measured. To evaluate the stability of the features, the percent coefficient of variation (%COV) was calculated for each radiomic feature. A %COV <30 was considered to be low variation. Finally, one-way ANOVA, followed by Tukey's test, was used to determine significant changes among the different liver specimens. Results ILPCI-CT allows for a clearer view of the architecture of the vessels and reveals more structural details than does conventional radiography. Combined with the 3D visualization technique, ILPCI-CT enables the acquisition of an accurate description of the 3D vessel morphology in liver samples. Qualitative descriptions and quantitative assessment of microvessels demonstrated clear differences among human healthy liver, cirrhotic liver and HCC. In total, 38 (approximately 51%) radiomic features had low variation, including 11 first-order features, 16 GLCM features, 6 GLRLM features and 5 GLSZM features. The differences in the mean vessel branch angles and 3 radiomic features (first-order entropy, GLCM-inverse variance and GLCM-sum entropy) were statistically significant among the three groups of samples. Conclusions ILPCI-CT may allow for morphologic descriptions and quantitative evaluation of vessel microstructures and parenchyma in human healthy liver, cirrhotic liver and HCC. Vessel branch angles and radiomic features extracted from liver parenchyma images can be used to distinguish the three kinds of liver tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinghao Duan
- School of Precision Instrument and Opto-electronics Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China.,Department of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Ji'nan 250117, China
| | - Chunhong Hu
- College of Biomedical Engineering, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Qingtao Qiu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Ji'nan 250117, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Ji'nan 250117, China
| | - Huipeng Meng
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Measurement Technology and Instruments, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Keqiang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Measurement Technology and Instruments, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Huajiang Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Measurement Technology and Instruments, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Hong Wei
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Ji'nan 250117, China
| | - Yong Yin
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Ji'nan 250117, China
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10
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Zhao Y, Sun M, Ji D, Cong C, Lv W, Zhao Q, Qin L, Jian J, Chen X, Hu C. An iterative image reconstruction algorithm combined with forward and backward diffusion filtering for in-line X-ray phase-contrast computed tomography. JOURNAL OF SYNCHROTRON RADIATION 2018; 25:1450-1459. [PMID: 30179185 DOI: 10.1107/s1600577518009219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2017] [Accepted: 06/26/2018] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
In-line X-ray phase-contrast computed tomography (IL-PCCT) can reveal fine inner structures for low-Z materials (e.g. biological soft tissues), and shows high potential to become clinically applicable. Typically, IL-PCCT utilizes filtered back-projection (FBP) as the standard reconstruction algorithm. However, the FBP algorithm requires a large amount of projection data, and subsequently a large radiation dose is needed to reconstruct a high-quality image, which hampers its clinical application in IL-PCCT. In this study, an iterative reconstruction algorithm for IL-PCCT was proposed by combining the simultaneous algebraic reconstruction technique (SART) with eight-neighbour forward and backward (FAB8) diffusion filtering, and the reconstruction was performed using the Shepp-Logan phantom simulation and a real synchrotron IL-PCCT experiment. The results showed that the proposed algorithm was able to produce high-quality computed tomography images from few-view projections while improving the convergence rate of the computed tomography reconstruction, indicating that the proposed algorithm is an effective method of dose reduction for IL-PCCT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuqing Zhao
- College of Biomedical Engineering, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, People's Republic of China
| | - Mengyu Sun
- College of Biomedical Engineering, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, People's Republic of China
| | - Dongjiang Ji
- The School of Science, Tianjin University of Technology and Education, Tianjin 300222, People's Republic of China
| | - Changhong Cong
- The Dental Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenjuan Lv
- College of Biomedical Engineering, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, People's Republic of China
| | - Qi Zhao
- College of Biomedical Engineering, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, People's Republic of China
| | - Lili Qin
- College of Biomedical Engineering, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianbo Jian
- Radiation Oncology Department, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300070, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaodong Chen
- Key Laboratory of Opto-electronic Information Technology, Ministry of Education (Tianjin University), Tianjin 300072, People's Republic of China
| | - Chunhong Hu
- College of Biomedical Engineering, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, People's Republic of China
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11
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Zhou Z, Zhang L, Guo B, Ma W, Zhang L, Li J, Zhao H, Jiang J, Gao F. Improved phase-attenuation duality method with space-frequency joint domain iterative regularization. Med Phys 2018; 45:3681-3696. [PMID: 29957878 DOI: 10.1002/mp.13067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2017] [Revised: 06/17/2018] [Accepted: 06/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE A common problem of in-line phase contrast imaging systems based on laboratory source and detector is the negative effects of finite source size, limited spatial resolution, and system noise. These negative effects swamp the fine phase contrast fringes and impede the precise retrieval of phase maps. This study aims to develop a novel phase retrieval method to restore phase information that is lost due to an imperfect system. METHODS An improved phase-attenuation duality (PAD) method based on space-frequency joint domain iterative regularization (JDIR) is proposed to overcome the problems of the analytical PAD method and the spatial-domain iterative regularization (SDIR) based PAD method. These problems include noise robustness and optical transfer function compensation. The proposed method was compared with the two former PAD methods through computer simulations and experiments for validation. RESULTS Results reveal that JDIR method outperforms the other two methods in terms of improving the visibility of structures in the retrieved phase maps. Among all the phase retrieval algorithms, the TV-norm-based JDIR method performed the best in considering the contrast and noise performance. CONCLUSIONS This paper provides a new method to investigate quantitative phase-contrast imaging when considering the negative effects of an imperfect system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongxing Zhou
- School of Precision Instrument and Optoelectronics Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biomedical Detecting Techniques and Instruments, Tianjin, 300072, China
| | - Lin Zhang
- School of Precision Instrument and Optoelectronics Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
| | - Baikuan Guo
- School of Precision Instrument and Optoelectronics Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
| | - Wenjuan Ma
- Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, 300072, China
| | - Limin Zhang
- School of Precision Instrument and Optoelectronics Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biomedical Detecting Techniques and Instruments, Tianjin, 300072, China
| | - Jiao Li
- School of Precision Instrument and Optoelectronics Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biomedical Detecting Techniques and Instruments, Tianjin, 300072, China
| | - Huijuan Zhao
- School of Precision Instrument and Optoelectronics Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biomedical Detecting Techniques and Instruments, Tianjin, 300072, China
| | - Jingying Jiang
- Paul C Lauterbur Research Center for Biomedical Imaging, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518055, China
| | - Feng Gao
- School of Precision Instrument and Optoelectronics Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biomedical Detecting Techniques and Instruments, Tianjin, 300072, China
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12
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A Feasible Method of Angiogenesis Assessment in Gastric Cancer Using 3D Microvessel Density. Stem Cells Int 2018; 2018:7813729. [PMID: 29765420 PMCID: PMC5903350 DOI: 10.1155/2018/7813729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2017] [Accepted: 02/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Cancer stem cell (CSC) promotes angiogenesis which plays an important role in tumor occurrence, growth, and metastasis. Accurately, quantifying the tumor vasculature can help understanding CSC characteristics and improve cancer diagnosis, therapy planning, and evaluation. The objective of this study is to present a method for improved angiogenesis assessment. Methods We proposed a three-dimensional microvessel density (3D MVD) to evaluate tumor angiogenesis and tested it in animal models. Six male Balb/c nude mice were divided into normal group and tumor group. The mice in tumor group were orthotopically implanted human gastric cancer, cell line BGC-823. The phase-contrast images were collected at Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility BL13W beamline, which has much higher soft-tissue contrast and spatial resolution than conventional X-ray. After volume reconstruction and vessel extraction, the 3D models of the angiogenesis were established for MVD calculation. Results The results showed that the proposed 3D MVD is positively correlated with the pathological changes of the microvessels. It took the advantage of high resolution of the phase-contrast imaging and added three-dimensional information to the existing MVD measure. Conclusions Our study presents a feasible approach for better understanding of tumor angiogenesis. It may provide doctors and scientists a better tool for cancer investigation and improving medical outcomes.
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Yao S, Zong Y, Huang X, Liu Y, Gong N, Zhang J, Li Z, Cao F, Wang X, Liang XJ, Jiang H. Periodic microstructures of blood capillaries revealed by synchrotron X-ray multi-resolution microscopic analysis. BIOMEDICAL OPTICS EXPRESS 2017; 8:5825-5833. [PMID: 29296507 PMCID: PMC5745122 DOI: 10.1364/boe.8.005825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2017] [Revised: 11/22/2017] [Accepted: 11/24/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases are closely related to structural blood capillaries lesions. Herein, microscopic investigations of mouse blood capillaries were performed at multiple spatial resolution by using synchrotron X-ray in-line phase contrast tomography and scanning transmission X-ray microscopy (STXM). The chemically fixed blood capillaries without any contrast agents were selected. For the first time, a periodic bamboo-shaped structure was observed at nanoscale resolution by STXM, and the three-dimensional tomographic slices at sub-micrometer resolution further confirmed the periodic wave profile of the blood capillaries. Then, a periodic microstructural model was suggested based on the microscopic images. By using high-performance imaging techniques, this work provides a better understanding of the relationship between the structure and function of blood capillaries, will be helpful in elucidating the causes of cardiovascular system diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengkun Yao
- School of Physical Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
- These authors contributed equally to this paper
| | - Yunbing Zong
- State Key Laboratory of Crystal Materials, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, China
- Department of Data and Business Analysis Product, Inspur International Ltd., Jinan 250101, China
- These authors contributed equally to this paper
| | - Xu Huang
- Department of Cardiology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China
| | - Yang Liu
- School of Physical Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
- State Key Laboratory of Crystal Materials, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, China
| | - Ningqiang Gong
- Laboratory of Controllable Nanopharmaceuticals, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Center for Excellence in Nanoscience; and CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology of China, No. 11, First North Road Zhongguangcun, Beijing 100190, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jianhua Zhang
- School of Physical Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
- State Key Laboratory of Crystal Materials, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, China
| | - Ziqing Li
- State Key Laboratory of Crystal Materials, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, China
| | - Feng Cao
- Department of Cardiology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China
| | - Xiangcheng Wang
- Department of Data and Business Analysis Product, Inspur International Ltd., Jinan 250101, China
| | - Xing-Jie Liang
- Laboratory of Controllable Nanopharmaceuticals, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Center for Excellence in Nanoscience; and CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology of China, No. 11, First North Road Zhongguangcun, Beijing 100190, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Huaidong Jiang
- School of Physical Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
- State Key Laboratory of Crystal Materials, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, China
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Tang R, Yan F, Yang GY, Chen KM. Phase contrast imaging of preclinical portal vein embolization with CO 2 microbubbles. JOURNAL OF SYNCHROTRON RADIATION 2017; 24:1260-1264. [PMID: 29091069 DOI: 10.1107/s1600577517014072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2017] [Accepted: 09/29/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Preoperative portal vein embolization (PVE) is employed clinically to avoid postoperative liver insufficiency. Animal models are usually used to study PVE in terms of mechanisms and pathophysiological changes. PVE is formerly monitored by conventional absorption contrast imaging (ACI) with iodine contrast agent. However, the side effects induced by iodine can give rise to animal damage and death. In this study, the feasibility of using phase contrast imaging (PCI) to show PVE using homemade CO2 microbubbles in living rats has been investigated. CO2 gas was first formed from the reaction between citric acid and sodium bicarbonate. The CO2 gas was then encapsulated by egg white to fabricate CO2 microbubbles. ACI and PCI of CO2 microbubbles were performed and compared in vitro. An additional increase in contrast was detected in PCI. PCI showed that CO2 microbubbles gradually dissolved over time, and the remaining CO2 microbubbles became larger. By PCI, the CO2 microbubbles were found to have certain stability, suggesting their potential use as embolic agents. CO2 microbubbles were injected into the main portal trunk to perform PVE in living rats. PCI exploited the differences in the refractive index and facilitated clear visualization of the PVE after the injection of CO2 microbubbles. Findings from this study suggest that homemade CO2 microbubbles-based PCI is a novel modality for preclinical PVE research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rongbiao Tang
- Department of Radiology, Rui Jin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, People's Republic of China
| | - Fuhua Yan
- Department of Radiology, Rui Jin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, People's Republic of China
| | - Guo Yuan Yang
- Neuroscience and Neuroengineering Center, Med-X Research Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200030, People's Republic of China
| | - Ke Min Chen
- Department of Radiology, Rui Jin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, People's Republic of China
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Qin L, Zhao X, Jian J, Zhao Y, Sun M, Hu C. High-resolution 3D visualization of ductular proliferation of bile duct ligation-induced liver fibrosis in rats using x-ray phase contrast computed tomography. Sci Rep 2017; 7:4215. [PMID: 28652608 PMCID: PMC5484700 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-03993-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2016] [Accepted: 05/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
X-ray phase-contrast computed tomography (PCCT) can provide excellent image contrast for soft tissues with small density differences, and it is particularly appropriate for three-dimensional (3D) visualization of accurate microstructures inside biological samples. In this study, the morphological structures of proliferative bile ductules (BDs) were visualized without contrast agents via PCCT with liver fibrosis samples induced by bile duct ligation (BDL) in rats. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups: sham operation group, 2-week and 6-week post-BDL groups. All livers were removed after euthanasia for a subsequent imaging. The verification of the ductular structures captured by PCCT was achieved by a careful head-to-head comparison with their corresponding histological images. Our experimental results demonstrated that PCCT images corresponded very well to the proliferative BDs shown by histological staining using cytokeratin 19 (CK19). Furthermore, the 3D density of proliferative BDs increased with the progression of liver fibrosis. In addition, PCCT accurately revealed the architecture of proliferative BDs in a 3D fashion, including the ductular ramification, the elongation and tortuosity of the branches, and the corrugations of the luminal duct surface. Thus, the high-resolution PCCT technique can improve our understanding of the characteristics of ductular proliferation from a new 3D perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lili Qin
- College of Biomedical Engineering, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China
| | - Xinyan Zhao
- Liver Research Center, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Jianbo Jian
- College of Biomedical Engineering, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China
| | - Yuqing Zhao
- College of Biomedical Engineering, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China
| | - Mengyu Sun
- College of Biomedical Engineering, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China
| | - Chunhong Hu
- College of Biomedical Engineering, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China.
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3D characterization of morphological changes in the intervertebral disc and endplate during aging: A propagation phase contrast synchrotron micro-tomography study. Sci Rep 2017; 7:43094. [PMID: 28266560 PMCID: PMC5339826 DOI: 10.1038/srep43094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2016] [Accepted: 01/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
A better understanding of functional changes in the intervertebral disc (IVD) and interaction with endplate is essential to elucidate the pathogenesis of IVD degeneration disease (IDDD). To date, the simultaneous depiction of 3D micro-architectural changes of endplate with aging and interaction with IVD remains a technical challenge. We aim to characterize the 3D morphology changes of endplate and IVD during aging using PPCST. The lumbar vertebral level 4/5 IVDs harvested from 15-day-, 4- and 24-month-old mice were initially evaluated by PPCST with histological sections subsequently analyzed to confirm the imaging efficiency. Quantitative assessments of age-related trends after aging, including mean diameter, volume fraction and connectivity of the canals, and endplate porosity and thickness, reached a peak at 4 months and significantly decreased at 24 months. The IVD volume consistently exhibited same trend of variation with the endplate after aging. In this study, PPCST simultaneously provided comprehensive details of 3D morphological changes of the IVD and canal network in the endplate and the interaction after aging. The results suggest that PPCST has the potential to provide a new platform for attaining a deeper insight into the pathogenesis of IDDD, providing potential therapeutic targets.
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Jian J, Zhang W, Yang H, Zhao X, Xuan R, Li D, Hu C. Phase-contrast CT: Qualitative and Quantitative Evaluation of Capillarized Sinusoids and Trabecular Structure in Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma Tissues. Acad Radiol 2017; 24:67-75. [PMID: 27818006 DOI: 10.1016/j.acra.2016.08.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2016] [Revised: 08/14/2016] [Accepted: 08/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES Capillarization of sinusoids and change of trabecular thickness are the main histologic features in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Of particular interest are the three-dimensional (3D) visualization and quantitative evaluation of such alterations in the HCC progression. X-ray phase-contrast computed tomography (PCCT) is an emerging imaging method that provides excellent image contrast for soft tissues. This study aimed to explore the potential of in-line PCCT in microstructure imaging of capillarized sinusoids and trabecular structure in human HCC tissues and to quantitatively evaluate the alterations of those fine structures during the development of HCC. MATERIALS AND METHODS This project was designed as an ex vivo experimental study. The study was approved by the institutional review board, and informed consent was obtained from the patients. Eight human resected HCC tissue samples were imaged using in-line PCCT. After histologic processing, PCCT images and histopathologic data were matched. Fine structures in HCC tissues were revealed. Quantitative analyses of capillarized sinusoids (ie, percentage of sinusoidal area [PSA], sinusoidal volume) and trabecular structure (ie, trabecular thickness, surface-area-to-volume ratio [SA/V]) in low-grade (well or moderately differentiated) and high-grade (poorly differentiated) HCC groups were performed. RESULTS Using PCCT, the alterations of capillarized sinusoids and trabecular structure were clearly observed in 3D geometry, which was confirmed by the corresponding histologic sections. The 3D qualitative analyses of sinusoids in the high-grade HCC group were significantly different (P < 0.05) in PSA (7.8 ± 2.5%) and sinusoidal volume (2.9 ± 0.6 × 107 µm3) from those in the low-grade HCC group (PSA, 12.9 ± 2.2%; sinusoidal volume, 2.4 ± 0.3 × 107 µm3). Moreover, the 3D quantitative evaluation of the trabecular structure in the high-grade HCC group showed a significant change (P < 0.05) in the trabecular thickness (87.8 ± 15.6 µm) and SA/V (2.2 ± 1.3 × 103 µm-1) compared to the low-grade HCC group (trabecular thickness, 75.9 ± 7.1 µm; SA/V, 7.5 ± 1.3 × 103 µm-1). CONCLUSIONS This study provides insights into the 3D alterations of microstructures such as capillarized sinusoids and the trabecular structure at a micrometer level, which might allow for an improved understanding of the development of HCC.
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Cao Y, Yin X, Zhang J, Wu T, Li D, Lu H, Hu J. Visualization of mouse spinal cord intramedullary arteries using phase- and attenuation-contrast tomographic imaging. JOURNAL OF SYNCHROTRON RADIATION 2016; 23:966-974. [PMID: 27359146 DOI: 10.1107/s1600577516006482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2016] [Accepted: 04/17/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Many spinal cord circulatory disorders present the substantial involvement of small vessel lesions. The central sulcus arteries supply nutrition to a large part of the spinal cord, and, if not detected early, lesions in the spinal cord will cause irreversible damage to the function of this organ. Thus, early detection of these small vessel lesions could potentially facilitate the effective diagnosis and treatment of these diseases. However, the detection of such small vessels is beyond the capability of current imaging techniques. In this study, an imaging method is proposed and the potential of phase-contrast imaging (PCI)- and attenuation-contrast imaging (ACI)-based synchrotron radiation for high-resolution tomography of intramedullary arteries in mouse spinal cord is validated. The three-dimensional vessel morphology, particularly that of the central sulcus arteries (CSA), detected with these two imaging models was quantitatively analyzed and compared. It was determined that both PCI- and ACI-based synchrotron radiation can be used to visualize the physiological arrangement of the entire intramedullary artery network in the mouse spinal cord in both two dimensions and three dimensions at a high-resolution scale. Additionally, the two-dimensional and three-dimensional vessel morphometric parameter measurements obtained with PCI are similar to the ACI data. Furthermore, PCI allows efficient and direct discrimination of the same branch level of the CSA without contrast agent injection and is expected to provide reliable biological information regarding the intramedullary artery. Compared with ACI, PCI might be a novel imaging method that offers a powerful imaging platform for evaluating pathological changes in small vessels and may also allow better clarification of their role in neurovascular disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Cao
- Department of Spine Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, People's Republic of China
| | - Xianzhen Yin
- Center for Drug Delivery System, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 20203, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiwen Zhang
- Center for Drug Delivery System, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 20203, People's Republic of China
| | - Tianding Wu
- Department of Spine Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, People's Republic of China
| | - Dongzhe Li
- Department of Spine Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongbin Lu
- Department of Sports Medicine, Research Centre of Sports Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianzhong Hu
- Department of Spine Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, People's Republic of China
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Jian J, Yang H, Zhao X, Xuan R, Zhang Y, Li D, Hu C. Visualization of microvasculature and thrombi by X-ray phase-contrast computed tomography in hepatocellular carcinoma. JOURNAL OF SYNCHROTRON RADIATION 2016; 23:600-605. [PMID: 26917149 DOI: 10.1107/s1600577516001016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2015] [Accepted: 01/18/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Visualization of the microvascular network and thrombi in the microvasculature is a key step to evaluating the development of tumor growth and metastasis, and influences treatment selection. X-ray phase-contrast computed tomography (PCCT) is a new imaging technique that can detect minute changes of density and reveal soft tissues discrimination at micrometer-scale resolution. In this study, six human resected hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissues were investigated with PCCT. A histological stain was added to estimate the accuracy of PCCT. The results showed that the fine structures of the microvasculature (measuring 30-100 µm) and thrombi in tiny blood vessels were displayed clearly on imaging the HCC tissues by PCCT. Moreover, density distributions of the thrombi were obtained, which could be reliably used to distinguish malignant from benign thrombi in HCC. In conclusion, PCCT can clearly show the three-dimensional subtle structures of HCC that cannot be detected by conventional absorption-based computed tomography and provides a new method for the imageology of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianbo Jian
- College of Biomedical Engineering, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, People's Republic of China
| | - Hao Yang
- College of Biomedical Engineering, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, People's Republic of China
| | - Xinyan Zhao
- Liver Research Center, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, People's Republic of China
| | - Ruijiao Xuan
- College of Biomedical Engineering, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, People's Republic of China
| | - Yujie Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, People's Republic of China
| | - Dongyue Li
- School of Medical Imaging, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300203, People's Republic of China
| | - Chunhong Hu
- College of Biomedical Engineering, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, People's Republic of China
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3D visualization of the lumbar facet joint after degeneration using propagation phase contrast micro-tomography. Sci Rep 2016; 6:21838. [PMID: 26907889 PMCID: PMC4764819 DOI: 10.1038/srep21838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2015] [Accepted: 01/26/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Lumbar facet joint (LFJ) degeneration is believed to be an important cause of low back pain (LBP). Identifying the morphological changes of the LFJ in the degeneration process at a high-resolution level could be meaningful for our better understanding of the possible mechanisms underlying this process. In the present study, we determined the 3D morphology of the LFJ using propagation phase contrast micro-tomography (PPCT) in rats to assess the subtle changes that occur during the degeneration process. PPCT provides vivid 3D images of micromorphological changes in the LFJ during its degeneration process, and the changes in the subchondral bone occurred earlier than in the cartilage during the early stage of degeneration of the LFJ. The delineation of this alteration was similar to that with the histological method. Our findings demonstrated that PPCT could serve as a valuable tool for 3D visualization of the morphology of the LFJ by providing comprehensive information about the cartilage and the underlying subchondral bone and their changes during degeneration processes. It might also have great potential for providing effective diagnostic tools to track changes in the cartilage and to evaluate the effects of therapeutic interventions for LFJ degeneration in preclinical studies.
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