Quantitative Imaging of Regional Aerosol Deposition, Lung Ventilation and Morphology by Synchrotron Radiation CT

To understand the determinants of inhaled aerosol particle distribution and targeting in the lung, knowledge of regional deposition, lung morphology and regional ventilation, is crucial. No single imaging modality allows the acquisition of all such data together. Here we assessed the feasibility of dual-energy synchrotron radiation imaging to this end in anesthetized rabbits; both in normal lung (n = 6) and following methacholine (MCH)-induced bronchoconstriction (n = 6), a model of asthma. We used K-edge subtraction CT (KES) imaging to quantitatively map the regional deposition of iodine-containing aerosol particles. Morphological and regional ventilation images were obtained, followed by quantitative regional iodine deposition maps, after 5 and 10 minutes of aerosol administration. Iodine deposition was markedly inhomogeneous both in normal lung and after induced bronchoconstrition. Deposition was significantly reduced in the MCH group at both time points, with a strong dependency on inspiratory flow in both conditions (R² = 0.71; p < 0.0001). We demonstrate for the first time, the feasibility of KES CT for quantitative imaging of lung deposition of aerosol particles, regional ventilation and morphology. Since these are among the main factors determining lung aerosol deposition, we expect this imaging approach to bring new contributions to the understanding of lung aerosol delivery, targeting, and ultimately biological efficacy.

Radiation dose and image quality in K-edge subtraction computed tomography of lung in vivo

K-edge subtraction computed tomography (KES-CT) allows simultaneous imaging of both structural features and regional distribution of contrast elements inside an organ. Using this technique, regional lung ventilation and blood volume distributions can be measured experimentally in vivo. In order for this imaging technology to be applicable in humans, it is crucial to minimize exposure to ionizing radiation with little compromise in image quality. The goal of this study was to assess the changes in signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of KES-CT lung images as a function of radiation dose. The experiments were performed in anesthetized and ventilated rabbits using inhaled xenon gas in O2 at two concentrations: 20% and 70%. Radiation dose, defined as air kerma (Ka), was measured free-in-air and in a 16 cm polymethyl methacrylate phantom with a cylindrical ionization chamber. The dose free-in-air was varied from 2.7 mGy to 8.0 Gy. SNR in the images of xenon in air spaces was above the Rose criterion (SNR > 5) when Ka was over 400 mGy with 20% xenon, and over 40 mGy with 70% xenon. Although in human thorax attenuation is higher, based on these findings it is estimated that, by optimizing the imaging sequence and reconstruction algorithms, the radiation dose could be further reduced to clinically acceptable levels.

Performance of a dispersion-compensating scanning X-ray spectrometer for Compton profile measurements

A new X-ray spectrometer has been constructed for Compton profile measurements at beamline ID15B of the ESRF. The spectrometer is based on a novel idea, dispersion compensation, which was proposed earlier. A cylindrically bent Laue monochromator focuses approximately 90 keV synchrotron radiation at about 0.7 m before the sample, and produces a well defined energy or wavelength gradient on the sample. A cylindrically bent Laue analyser almost perfectly compensates this wavelength gradient. Using an Al sample, it has been confirmed that the new spectrometer improves the counting rate by a factor of two compared with the previously constructed 30 keV and 60 keV spectrometers, with a comparable momentum resolution. Because of reduced absorption owing to use of high-energy X-rays, the enhancement of the counting rate is spectacular for heavy-element materials.

Imaging lobular breast carcinoma: comparison of synchrotron radiation DEI-CT technique with clinical CT, mammography and histology

Different modalities for imaging cancer-bearing breast tissue samples are described and compared. The images include clinical mammograms and computed tomography (CT) images, CT images with partly coherent synchrotron radiation (SR), and CT and radiography images taken with SR using the diffraction enhanced imaging (DEI) method. The images are evaluated by a radiologist and compared with histopathological examination of the samples. Two cases of lobular carcinoma are studied in detail. The indications of cancer are very weak or invisible in the conventional images, but the morphological changes due to invasion of cancer become pronounced in the images taken by the DEI method. The strands penetrating adipose tissue are seen clearly in the DEI-CT images, and the histopathology confirms that some strands contain the so-called 'Indian file' formations of cancer cells. The radiation dose is carefully measured for each of the imaging modalities. The mean glandular dose (MGD) for 50% glandular breast tissue is about 1 mGy in conventional mammography and less than 0.25 mGy in projection DEI, while in the clinical CT imaging the MGD is very high, about 45 mGy. The entrance dose of 95 mGy in DEI-CT imaging gives rise to an MGD of 40 mGy, but the dose may be reduced by an order of magnitude, because the contrast is very large in most images.

Effect of tidal volume on distribution of ventilation assessed by synchrotron radiation CT in rabbit

A respiration-gated synchrotron radiation computed tomography (SRCT) technique, which allows visualization and direct quantification of inhaled stable xenon gas, was used to study the effect of tidal volume (Vt) on regional lung ventilation. High-resolution maps (pixel size 0.35 x 0.35 mm) of local washin time constants (tau) and regional specific ventilation were obtained in five anesthetized, paralyzed, and mechanically ventilated rabbits in upright body position at the fourth, sixth, and eighth dorsal vertebral levels with a Vt from 4.9 +/- 0.3 to 7.9 +/- 0.4 ml/kg (means +/- SE). Increasing Vt without an increase in minute ventilation resulted in a proportional increase of mean specific ventilation up to 65% in all studied lung levels and reduced the scattering of washin tau values. The tau values had log-normal distributions. The results indicate that an increase in Vt decreases nonuniformity of intraregional ventilatory gas exchange. The findings suggest that (SRCT) provides a new quantitative tool with high spatial discrimination ability for assessment of changes in peripheral pulmonary gas distribution during mechanical ventilation.

Fine-rotation attachment to standard goniometers

A new type of fine-rotation stage has been constructed and tested. It can be attached to standard goniometers used in X-ray and neutron crystallography. The device consists of a shaft and a bar that is fitted tightly to a hole traversing the shaft. The diameter of the shaft is 5 to 10 times larger than the diameter of the bar and the length of the bar is about 5 times larger than the height of the shaft. The bottom of the shaft is attached to the top plate of the goniometer and a goniometer head can be fitted to the other end of the shaft. The free end of the bar is pushed tangentially by a linear actuator to produce a torsion moment at the shaft. The dimensions and materials of the prototype were chosen such that a 1 mm bend of the bar corresponded to a torsion angle of the shaft of about 20 µrad. The rotation angle was measured using a double-crystal diffractometer in the non-dispersive setting, with MoKα1radiation from a fine-focus X-ray tube. Accurately known angular deviations were produced by refraction in a prism and the shifts in the rocking-curve position were measured. The measured torsion angle agreed within 4% with the value calculated from the elastic constants and dimensions of the device. The repeatability of the angle was ±20 nrad (0.004 arcsec).

Medical applications of synchrotron radiation

The medical imaging and therapeutic technologies that are based on the use of radiation are reviewed briefly, with special emphasis on the recent developments of synchrotron radiation (SR) methods. New results have been achieved in all of these areas since the last comprehensive reviews were written in this field. This topical review is intended to make the latest possible results and complete set of references available. The different contrast mechanisms in imaging by x-rays are described. The applications range from whole-body imaging to studies of atomic and molecular structures. The SR imaging applications include coronary angiography, bronchography, mammography, computed tomography, x-ray microscopy and imaging by scattering. The therapy applications include photon activation therapy and microbeam radiation therapy.

Small-angle x-ray scattering studies of human breast tissue samples

Small-angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) patterns are recorded from thin breast tissue samples containing healthy and cancerous regions. The SAXS patterns are compared with histo-pathological observations. The information available from SAXS is reviewed, and a model for scattering from collagen is presented. Scattering patterns of collagen at regions far from the tumours are essentially different from those at tumours. The axial period of collagen fibrils is 65.0 +/- 0.1 nm in healthy regions, and 0.3 nm larger in cancer-invaded regions. The average intensity of scattering from cancerous regions is an order of magnitude higher than the intensity from healthy regions. This is interpreted to arise from an increase of the specific surface area of the scatterers, which is due to a disruption of the molecular and supra-molecular structures in cancerous regions and invasion of new types of cells. The differences of the SAXS patterns are large and distinctive enough to suggest that these phenomena may be utilized in mammography.

Quantitative functional lung imaging with synchrotron radiation using inhaled xenon as contrast agent

Small airways play a key role in the distribution of ventilation and in the matching of ventilation to perfusion. The purpose of this study was to introduce an imaging method that allows measurement of regional lung ventilation and evaluation of the function of airways with a small diameter. The experiments were performed at the Medical Beamline of the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility. Monochromatic synchrotron radiation beams were used to obtain quantitative respiration-gated images of lungs and airways in two anaesthetized and mechanically ventilated rabbits using inhaled stable xenon (Xe) gas as a contrast agent. Two simultaneous images were acquired at two different energies, above and below the K-edge of Xe. Logarithmic subtraction of the two images yields absolute Xe concentrations. This technique is known as K-edge subtraction (KES) radiography. Two-dimensional planar and CT images were obtained showing spatial distribution of Xe concentrations within the airspaces, as well as the dynamics of filling with Xe. Bronchi down to 1 mm in diameter were visible both in the subtraction radiographs and in tomographic images. Absolute concentrations of Xe gas were calculated within the tube carrying the inhaled gas mixture, small and large bronchi, and lung tissue. Local time constants of ventilation with Xe were obtained by following the evolution of gas concentration in sequential computed tomography images. The results of this first animal study indicate that KES imaging of lungs with Xe gas as a contrast agent has great potential in studies of the distribution of ventilation within the lungs and of airway function, including airways with a small diameter.

Compton Spectroscopy and Chemical Bonding

In this article we show with the help of two examples how Compton spectroscopy may be used to study the effect of chemical bonding in materials as diverse as a molecular crystal and a high temperature superconductor. Compton spectroscopy has a long history as an investigative method in condensed matter physics and in fact the realisation that the Compton profile is sensitive to the effects of chemical bonding dates back at least fifty years. In the seventies, through the efforts of Weyrich [1] and others [2,3], practical applications of this realisation were first achieved. We argue that such studies are more and more relevant thanks to the availability of synchrotron radiation and efficient computational tools.

First human transvenous coronary angiography at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility

The first operation of the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) medical beamline is reported in this paper. The goal of the angiography project is to develop a reduced risk imaging technique, which can be used to follow up patients after coronary intervention. After the intravenous injection of a contrast agent (iodine) two images are produced with monochromatic beams, bracketing the iodine K-edge. The logarithmic subtraction of the two measurements results in an iodine enhanced image, which can be precisely quantified. A research protocol has been designed to evaluate the performances of this method in comparison with the conventional technique. Patients included in the protocol have previously undergone angioplasty. If a re-stenosis is suspected, the patient is imaged both at the ESRF and at the hospital with the conventional technique, within the next few days. This paper reports the results obtained with the first patients. To date, eight patients have been imaged and excellent image quality was obtained.

Research at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility medical beamline

The application of synchrotron radiation in medical research has become a mature field of research at synchrotron facilities worldwide. In the relatively short time that synchrotrons have been available to the scientific community, their characteristic beams of UV and X-ray radiation have been applied to virtually all areas of medical science which use ionizing radiation. The ability to tune intense monochromatic beams over wide energy ranges differentiates these sources from standard clinical and research tools. At the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (Grenoble, France), a major research facility is operational on an advanced wiggler radiation beamport, ID17. The beamport is designed to carry out a broad range of research ranging from cell radiation biology to in vivo human studies. Medical imaging programs at ID17 include transvenous coronary angiography, computed tomography, mammography and bronchography. In addition, a major research program on microbeam radiation therapy is progressing. This paper will present a very brief overview of the beamline and the imaging and therapy programs.

In vivo K-edge imaging with synchrotron radiation

We present in this paper two imaging techniques using contrast agents assessed with in vivo experiments. Both methods are based on the same physical principle, and were implemented at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility medical beamline. The first one is intravenous coronary angiography using synchrotron radiation X-rays. This imaging technique has been planned for human studies in the near future. We describe the first experiments that were carried out with pigs at the ESRF. The second imaging mode is computed tomography using synchrotron radiation on rats bearing brain tumors. Owing to synchrotron radiation physical properties, these new imaging methods provide additional information compared to conventional techniques. After infusion of the contrast agent, it is possible to derive from the images the concentration of the contrast agent in the tumor area for the computed tomography and in any visible vessel for the angiography method.

Fixed-exit monochromator for computed tomography with synchrotron radiation at energies 18-90 keV

A fixed-exit monochromator has been constructed for computed tomography (CT) studies at the Medical Beamline of the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility. A non-dispersive pair of bent Laue-type crystals is used, and the first crystal is water-cooled. The monochromator operates at energies from 18 to 90 keV, and the maximum width of the beam is 150 mm. The performance of the monochromator is studied with respect to the beam intensity and energy distributions, and a close agreement is found between the calculated and experimental results. The intensity is between 10(9) and 10(10) photons s(-1) mm(-2) under typical operating conditions. The harmonic content of a 25 keV beam is about 30% at the minimum wiggler gap of 25 mm (field 1.57 T) and decreases by an order of magnitude when the gap is increased to 60 mm (field 0.62 T). The experimental set-up for CT studies includes dose monitors, goniometers and translation stages for positioning and scanning the object, and a 432-element linear-array Ge detector. Examples from phantom studies and in vivo animal experiments are shown to illustrate the spatial resolution and contrast of the reconstructed images.

Feasibility study of x-ray diffraction computed tomography for medical imaging

A feasibility study of soft-tissue imaging based on x-ray wide-angle diffraction contrast has been performed at the medical beamline of the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF). The technique employs computed-tomography algorithms to reconstruct from one data set the spatial distribution of several tissues differentiated by their diffraction properties. Radial diffraction profiles are measured in parallel projections from the sample and decomposed into material-selective weighting factors, which form the sinograms for the reconstructions. Attenuation effects--inherent in imaging techniques using scattered radiation--are efficiently corrected for by a ray-tracing method applied to the corresponding absorption image. Images of 7 cm diameter samples composed of fat, bone and muscle were generated at 60 and 80 keV x-ray energy. The highest surface-absorbed dose was 24 mGy, but substantial contrast could still be obtained at 7 mGy, indicating potential applicability in medical imaging. The dominant noise contribution in the images stems from the detection system, pointing to a possible decrease in the surface-absorbed dose for an optimized system of more than a factor of 2.

Experiments with very high energy synchrotron radiation

The use of synchrotron radiation with very high photon energies has become possible only with the latest generation of storage rings. All high-electron-energy synchrotron sources will have a dedicated program for the use of very high photon energies. The high-energy beamline ID15 at the ESRF was the first beamline built and dedicated to this purpose, and it has now been in user operation for more than three years. The useful energy range of this beamline is 30-1000 keV and the superconducting insertion device for producing the highest attainable photon energies is described in detail. The techniques most often used today are diffraction and Compton scattering; an overview of the most important experiments is given. Both techniques have been used in the investigation of magnetic systems, and, additionally, the high resolution in reciprocal space, which can be achieved in diffraction, has led to a series of applications. Other fields of research are addressed, and attempts to indicate possible future research areas of high-energy synchrotron radiation are made.

High-energy magnetic Compton scattering experiments at ESRF

Investigations of spin densities in ferromagnetic materials using magnetic Compton scattering are reported. At the high-energy beamline ID15 at the ESRF, experiments have been carried out utilizing the high flux at very high photon energies. Energies from 60 up to 1000 keV have been used for investigations of experimental resolution, cross section, spin moments and momentum distribution. Optimized conditions are found for photon energies from 200 to 250 keV with a momentum resolution < 0.4 a.u. and a doubled magnetic effect compared with earlier measurements. In the determination of absolute spin moments multiple scattering has to be taken into account.

On high-resolution reciprocal-space mapping with a triple-crystal diffractometer for high-energy X-rays

High-energy X-rav diffraction by means of triple-crystal techniques is a powerful tool for investigating dislocations and strain in bulk materials. Radiation with an energy typically higher than 80 keV combines the advantage of low attenuation with high resolution at large momentum transfers. The triple-crystal diffractometer at the High Energy Beamline of the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility is described. It is shown how the transverse and longitudinal resolution depend on the choice of the crystal reflection, and how the orientation of a reciprocal-lattice distortion in an investigated sample towards the resolution element of the instrument can play an important role. This effect is demonstrated on a single crystal of silicon where a layer of macro pores reveals satellites around the Bragg reflection. The resulting longitudinal distortion can be investigated using the high transverse resolution of the instrument when choosing an appropriate reflection.

High-energy magnetic compton scattering from iron

The magnetic Compton profile of Fe [111] was measured using circularly polarized synchrotron radiation at incident energies of 84.4, 167.2 and 256.0 keV on the high-energy beamline at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility. It was found that the momentum resolution of these experiments, which use semiconductor detectors, improves by almost a factor of two over what was previously possible by this technique at photon energies of approximately (1/10)mc(2). It was also observed that all three spectra reduced to the magnetic Compton profile, describing the spin-dependent ground-state momentum density, and that within the experimental error the integrated intensity of the magnetic effect scaled as predicted by the cross section derived in the limit of energies much less than the rest energy of the electron. The magnetic Compton profile of Fe [111], measured using 167.2 keV incident energy and with momentum resolution of 0.42 a.u., was compared with the prediction from a full-potential linearized augmented-plane-wave model profile. The fine structure predicted by theory was confirmed by the experimental profile at this improved resolution.

[A new X-ray source for medical imaging and radiotherapy research: synchrotron radiation]

Whether for diagnosis or therapeutic purposes, X-rays have many applications in medicine. Synchrotron Radiation sources open new perspectives. This has already been the case for a number of years in molecular and cellular biology where the scope of absorption and diffraction work has been greatly extended. This could also be the case for medical imaging and radiotherapy where the characteristics of the beam (collimation, stability, flux) allow new approaches in the energy range of radiological X-rays, namely between 30 keV and 100 keV. Such a source exists today in Grenoble, with the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF). The opening of a beamline dedicated to medical research for whole European scientific community is planned for the end of 1996. This beamline, coupled with the "microbeam" beamlines, will cover medical imaging (angiography, tomodensitometry, microtomography, X-ray microscopy) as well as radiotherapy.

Fixed-exit monochromators for high-energy synchrotron radiation

Current developments in X-ray optics for synchrotron radiation beamlines are briefly reviewed. Reference is made to recent work on adaptive mirrors, cryogenic cooling of monochromators, use of thin diamond crystals, and active correction of the crystal shape for distortions caused by beam heating. The use of bent Si crystals as monochromators is discussed in detail. At high energies Si crystals become transparent to X-rays allowing new monochromator constructions. Bending of the crystal increases the energy bandpass and allows focusing. Different combinations of bent crystals that provide a fixed exit beam are discussed. These include vertically diffracting meridionally focusing Laue-Laue crystals, a Laue crystal combined with a sagittally focusing Bragg crystal, and a Laue-Bragg pair of crystals which provides meridional focusing at two stages.

Determination of thermal-motion parameters using energy-dispersive powder diffraction

An intrinsic Ge detector is used to analyze the energy spectrum of a well collimated X-ray beam of white radiation diffracted from powder samples of Al, Mg and Ti. Two spectra on each sample are measured at scattering angles where reflections hkl and 2h ′ 2k ′ 2l occur at the same energies. The Bragg reflections are separated by fitting a model for the different components of scattering to the total spectrum. The thermal-motion parameter B is determined from the intensity ratio of several pairs of reflections. Most of the uncertainties due to a non-ideal sample or errors in the experimental parameters cancel out in the expression for B. The values of B are 0.86 (2) Å2 for Al, Ba = 1.29 (8) Å2 and Bc = 1.60 (9) Å2 for Mg and Ba = 0.63 (4) Å2 and Bc = 0.73 (7) Å2 for Ti, where Ba is for directions perpendicular to the c axis and Bc for the direction of the c axis. The results are in agreement with published values of the thermal-motion parameters.

Compton scattering experiments with monochromatic W Kα1 radiation

Construction and performance of a spectrometer based on a high-voltage generator and W-anode X-ray tube are described. W Kα 1 radiation is monochromated using a bent Ge (400) crystal. The obtained monochromatic flux is 107 photons s−1 and the beam size at the focal point 15 × 0.5 mm. Comparison is made with a 241Am γ-ray source, which has an almost equal photon energy. The W Kα 1 beam does not exhibit the low-energy tail typical for the γ-ray source but, on the other hand, a small contribution of doublet energy was observed. Directional Compton profiles of pyrolytic graphite were measured with both sources and essentially the same features were found.

Whole-pattern fitting in energy-dispersive powder diffraction

A new procedure of pattern decomposition in energy-dispersive powder diffraction is presented. The total observed pattern is taken as a sum of incoherent and coherent scattering. The incoherent part is calculated from theoretical cross sections for individual atoms, the coherent part is described as a sum of discrete Bragg peaks and acoustic and optic phonon thermal diffuse scattering (TDS) is calculated from the Debye and Einstein models, respectively. The total TDS is scaled to be the scattering missing from the Bragg reflections due to thermal motion. The model pattern is convoluted by the instrument function calculated from the diffraction geometry, and the pattern is fitted to the observed one by varying the integrated Bragg intensities and thermal motion parameters. The method is applied to patterns of Mg, Al and Ti powders, leading to an unambiguous and self-consistent division to the background and the pattern of Bragg reflections. As an application, the flux of continuous radiation from a W-anode X-ray tube is determined using theoretical integrated Bragg intensities.

Characteristic X-ray flux from sealed Cr, Cu, Mo, Ag and W tubes

The flux of characteristic Kα radiation from sealed X-ray tubes with Cr, Cu, Mo, Ag and W targets is determined on an absolute scale by measuring integrated intensities of Bragg reflections from well characterized powder samples. The values of the flux are corrected for absorption in the tube target. The tube voltage is varied, and the flux is observed to vary as (U 0−1) p , where U 0 is the ratio of tube voltage to the excitation voltage of characteristic Kα radiation (over-voltage). The exponent p is very close to the theoretical value of 1.67 in the cases of Cr, Cu, Mo and Ag, while in the case of W the value of p is 1.45. The absolute values of the flux are close to the theoretical estimates of Green & Cosslett [Proc. Phys. Soc. (London) (1961), 78, 1206–1214] for Cr and Cu, 10 to 20% higher for Mo and Ag, but only about 1/3 of the calculated flux of W Kα radiation. This is due to an inadequate calculation of the indirect production of characteristic X-rays. A simple formula for the flux per unit solid angle is given in terms of the atomic number of the target, the tube voltage and the K excitation voltage.

Mass attenuation coefficients of the elements Ti, V, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu and Zn for the K emission lines between 4.51 and 10.98 keV

Mass attenuation coefficients of seven elements between atomic numbers 22 and 30 were measured at 20 X-ray energies between 4.5 and 11 keV. These energies correspond to fluorescence radiation excited by monochromatic Mo Kα radiation. The measurements were made on thin metal foils, which were spread flat and perpendicular to the beam scattered from the fluorescent sample. In this arrangement, the measured attenuation includes photoelectric absorption plus average elastic and inelastic scattering. The mass per unit area of a foil was determined by weighing and the impurity concentration by fluorescence analysis. The spectral lines corresponding to the components of the fluorescent radiation and those of the secondary radiation were resolved by the so-called singular value decomposition (SVD). The probable errors of the attenuation coefficients were typically 1%. The general agreement with previous experimental and theoretical values is good, but at low energies and at energies just above the absorption edges the present values are about 5% larger than theoretical values based on relativistic HFS (Hartree–Fock–Slater) calculations.