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Arana Peña LM, Donato S, Bonazza D, Brombal L, Martellani F, Arfelli F, Tromba G, Longo R. Multiscale X-ray phase-contrast tomography: From breast CT to micro-CT for virtual histology. Phys Med 2023; 112:102640. [PMID: 37441823 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmp.2023.102640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Phase-contrast imaging techniques address the issue of poor soft-tissue contrast encountered in traditional X-ray imaging. This can be accomplished with the propagation-based phase-contrast technique by employing a coherent photon beam, which is available at synchrotron facilities, as well as long sample-to-detector distances. This study demonstrates the optimization of propagation-based phase-contrast computed tomography (CT) techniques for multiscale X-ray imaging of the breast at the Elettra synchrotron facility (Trieste, Italy). Two whole breast mastectomy samples were acquired with propagation-based breast-CT using a monochromatic synchrotron beam at a pixel size of 60 µm. Paraffin-embedded blocks sampled from the same tissues were scanned with propagation-based micro-CT imaging using a polychromatic synchrotron beam at a pixel size of 4 µm. Images of both methodologies and of the same sample were spatially registered. The resulting images showed the transition from whole breast imaging with propagation-based breast-CT methodology to virtual histology with propagation-based micro-CT imaging of the same sample. Additionally, conventional histological images were matched to virtual histology images. Phase-contrast images offer a high resolution with low noise, which allows for a highly precise match between virtual and conventional histology. Furthermore, those techniques allow a clear discernment of breast structures, lesions, and microcalcifications, being a promising clinically-compatible tool for breast imaging in a multiscale approach, to either assist in the detection of cancer in full volume breast samples or to complement structure identification in paraffin-embedded breast tissue samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- L M Arana Peña
- Department of Physics, University of Trieste, Via Alfonso Valerio 2, Trieste I-34127, Italy; INFN Division of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy; Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste, SS 14 Km 163,5, AREA Science Park, 34149 Basovizza, (Trieste), Italy
| | - S Donato
- Department of Physics and STAR Lab, University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci 31C, Rende, (CS), I-87036, Italy; INFN Division of Frascati, Via E. Fermi 54, Frascati I-00044, Italy.
| | - D Bonazza
- Unit of Surgical Pathology, Cattinara Hospital, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliana Isontina (ASUGI), Strada di Fiume, 447, Trieste I-34149, Italy
| | - L Brombal
- Department of Physics, University of Trieste, Via Alfonso Valerio 2, Trieste I-34127, Italy; INFN Division of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - F Martellani
- Unit of Surgical Pathology, Cattinara Hospital, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliana Isontina (ASUGI), Strada di Fiume, 447, Trieste I-34149, Italy
| | - F Arfelli
- Department of Physics, University of Trieste, Via Alfonso Valerio 2, Trieste I-34127, Italy; INFN Division of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - G Tromba
- Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste, SS 14 Km 163,5, AREA Science Park, 34149 Basovizza, (Trieste), Italy
| | - R Longo
- Department of Physics, University of Trieste, Via Alfonso Valerio 2, Trieste I-34127, Italy; INFN Division of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
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Brombal L, Arana Peña LM, Arfelli F, Longo R, Brun F, Contillo A, Di Lillo F, Tromba G, Di Trapani V, Donato S, Menk RH, Rigon L. Motion artifacts assessment and correction using optical tracking in synchrotron radiation breast CT. Med Phys 2021; 48:5343-5355. [PMID: 34252212 PMCID: PMC9291820 DOI: 10.1002/mp.15084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Revised: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose The SYRMA‐3D collaboration is setting up a breast computed tomography (bCT) clinical program at the Elettra synchrotron radiation facility in Trieste, Italy. Unlike the few dedicated scanners available at hospitals, synchrotron radiation bCT requires the patient's rotation, which in turn implies a long scan duration (from tens of seconds to few minutes). At the same time, it allows the achievement of high spatial resolution. These features make synchrotron radiation bCT prone to motion artifacts. This article aims at assessing and compensating for motion artifacts through an optical tracking approach. Methods In this study, patients’ movements due to breathing have been first assessed on seven volunteers and then simulated during the CT scans of a breast phantom and a surgical specimen, by adding a periodic oscillatory motion (constant speed, 1 mm amplitude, 12 cycles/minute). CT scans were carried out at 28 keV with a mean glandular dose of 5 mGy. Motion artifacts were evaluated and a correction algorithm based on the optical tracking of fiducial marks was introduced. A quantitative analysis based on the structural similarity (SSIM) index and the normalized mean square error (nMSE) was performed on the reconstructed CT images. Results CT images reconstructed through the optical tracking procedure were found to be as good as the motionless reference image. Moreover, the analysis of SSIM and nMSE demonstrated that an uncorrected motion of the order of the system's point spread function (around 0.1 mm in the present case) can be tolerated. Conclusions Results suggest that a motion correction procedure based on an optical tracking system would be beneficial in synchrotron radiation bCT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Brombal
- Department of Physics, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy.,Division of Trieste, Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Trieste, Italy
| | - Lucia Mariel Arana Peña
- Department of Physics, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy.,Division of Trieste, Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Trieste, Italy
| | - Fulvia Arfelli
- Department of Physics, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy.,Division of Trieste, Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Trieste, Italy
| | - Renata Longo
- Department of Physics, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy.,Division of Trieste, Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Trieste, Italy
| | - Francesco Brun
- Division of Trieste, Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Trieste, Italy.,Department of Engineering and Architecture, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Vittorio Di Trapani
- Department of Physical sciences, Earth and environment, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.,Division of Pisa, Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Pisa, Italy
| | - Sandro Donato
- Department of Physics, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, Cosenza, Italy.,Division of Frascati, Istituto Nazionale di Fisca Nucleare, Frascati, Rome, Italy
| | - Ralf Hendrik Menk
- Division of Trieste, Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Trieste, Italy.,Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A., Trieste, Italy.,Department of Medical Imaging, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada
| | - Luigi Rigon
- Department of Physics, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy.,Division of Trieste, Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Trieste, Italy
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