Beam profile assessment in spectral CT scanners.

In this paper, we present a method that uses a combination of experimental and modeled data to assess properties of x-ray beam measured using a small-animal spectral scanner. The spatial properties of the beam profile are characterized by beam profile shape, the angular offset along the rotational axis, and the photon count difference between experimental and modeled data at the central beam axis. Temporal stability of the beam profile is assessed by measuring intra- and interscan count variations. The beam profile assessment method was evaluated on several spectral CT scanners equipped with Medipix3RX-based detectors. On a well-calibrated spectral CT scanner, we measured an integral count error of 0.5%, intrascan count variation of 0.1%, and an interscan count variation of less than 1%. The angular offset of the beam center ranged from 0.8° to 1.6° for the studied spectral CT scanners. We also demonstrate the capability of this method to identify poor performance of the system through analyzing the deviation of the experimental beam profile from the model. This technique can, therefore, aid in monitoring the system performance to obtain a robust spectral CT; providing the reliable quantitative images. Furthermore, the accurate offset parameters of a spectral scanner provided by this method allow us to incorporate a more realistic form of the photon distribution in the polychromatic-based image reconstruction models. Both improvements of the reliability of the system and accuracy of the volume reconstruction result in a better discrimination and quantification of the imaged materials.

A Hybrid 2D/3D User Interface for Radiological Diagnosis.

This paper presents a novel 2D/3D desktop virtual reality hybrid user interface for radiology that focuses on improving 3D manipulation required in some diagnostic tasks. An evaluation of our system revealed that our hybrid interface is more efficient for novice users and more accurate for both novice and experienced users when compared to traditional 2D only interfaces. This is a significant finding because it indicates, as the techniques mature, that hybrid interfaces can provide significant benefit to image evaluation. Our hybrid system combines a zSpace stereoscopic display with 2D displays, and mouse and keyboard input. It allows the use of 2D and 3D components interchangeably, or simultaneously. The system was evaluated against a 2D only interface with a user study that involved performing a scoliosis diagnosis task. There were two user groups: medical students and radiology residents. We found improvements in completion time for medical students, and in accuracy for both groups. In particular, the accuracy of medical students improved to match that of the residents.

Toward quantifying the composition of soft tissues by spectral CT with Medipix3.

PURPOSE: To determine the potential of spectral computed tomography (CT) with Medipix3 for quantifying fat, calcium, and iron in soft tissues within small animal models and surgical specimens of diseases such as fatty liver (metabolic syndrome) and unstable atherosclerosis. METHODS: The spectroscopic method was applied to tomographic data acquired using a micro-CT system incorporating a Medipix3 detector array with silicon sensor layer and microfocus x-ray tube operating at 50 kVp. A 10 mm diameter perspex phantom containing a fat surrogate (sunflower oil) and aqueous solutions of ferric nitrate, calcium chloride, and iodine was imaged with multiple energy bins. The authors used the spectroscopic characteristics of the CT number to establish a basis for the decomposition of soft tissue components. The potential of the method of constrained least squares for quantifying different sets of materials was evaluated in terms of information entropy and degrees of freedom, with and without the use of a volume conservation constraint. The measurement performance was evaluated quantitatively using atheroma and mouse equivalent phantoms. Finally the decomposition method was assessed qualitatively using a euthanized mouse and an excised human atherosclerotic plaque. RESULTS: Spectral CT measurements of a phantom containing tissue surrogates confirmed the ability to distinguish these materials by the spectroscopic characteristics of their CT number. The assessment of performance potential in terms of information entropy and degrees of freedom indicated that certain sets of up to three materials could be decomposed by the method of constrained least squares. However, there was insufficient information within the data set to distinguish calcium from iron within soft tissues. The quantification of calcium concentration and fat mass fraction within atheroma and mouse equivalent phantoms by spectral CT correlated well with the nominal values (R(2) = 0.990 and R(2) = 0.985, respectively). In the euthanized mouse and excised human atherosclerotic plaque, regions of calcium and fat were appropriately decomposed according to their spectroscopic characteristics. CONCLUSIONS: Spectral CT, using the Medipix3 detector and silicon sensor layer, can quantify certain sets of up to three materials using the proposed method of constrained least squares. The system has some ability to independently distinguish calcium, fat, and water, and these have been quantified within phantom equivalents of fatty liver and atheroma. In this configuration, spectral CT cannot distinguish iron from calcium within soft tissues.

Multi-energy spectral photon-counting computed tomography (MARS) for detection of arthroplasty implant failure.

To determine whether state-of-the-art multi-energy spectral photon-counting computed tomography (MARS) can detect knee arthroplasty implant failure not detected by standard pre-operative imaging techniques. A total knee arthroplasty (TKA) removed from a patient was reviewed. The extracted prosthesis [NexGen Legacy Posterior Stabilized (LPS) TKA] was analyzed as were pre-operative imaging examination and compared with a MARS-CT examination obtained of the extracted TKA prosthesis. Radiographs, fluoroscopy, ultrasound and MRI preoperatively did not reveal the cause of the implant failure. MARS CT images of the extracted prosthesis clearly showed the presence of posteromedial polyethylene and tibial tray wear which is compatible with the clinical appearance of the extracted TKA. MARS can identify polyethylene insert and metallic tibial tray wear as a cause of TKA failure, that could not be identified with on standard pre-operative imaging. Although clinical MARS CT system is still under development, this case does illustrate its potential clinical usefulness. This is the first study to document how MARS CT imaging can detect orthopedic implant failure not detected by standard current imaging techniques. This system has a potential clinical application in orthopedic patients.

Gadolinium concentration analysis in brain phantom by X-ray fluorescence.

We have measured the X-ray fluorescence from gadolinium as a function of concentration and position in tumors of different sizes and shapes in a head phantom. The gadolinium fluorescence was excited with a 36 GBq Am-241 source. The fluorescence signal was detected with a CdTe detector and a multi-channel analyzer. The fluorescence peak was clearly separated from the scattered X-rays. Concentrations of 5.62-78.63 mg/ml of Gd ion were used in 1, 2, and 3 cm diameter spherical tumors and a 2x4 cm oblate spheroid tumor. The data show trends approaching saturation for the highest concentrations, probably due to reabsorption in the tumor. A comparison of X-ray photographic imaging and densitometer measurements to determine concentration is also presented.

Evaluation of a photon counting Medipix3RX cadmium zinc telluride spectral x-ray detector.

We assess the performance of a cadmium zinc telluride (CZT)-based Medipix3RX energy-resolving and photon-counting x-ray detector as a candidate for spectral microcomputed tomography (micro-CT) imaging. It features an array of 128 × 128 , 110 - µ m 2 pixels, each with four simultaneous threshold counters that utilize real-time charge summing. Each pixel's response is assessed by imaging with a range of incident x-ray intensities and detector integration times. Energy-related assessments are made by exposing the detector to the emission from an I-125 radioisotope brachytherapy seed. Long-term stability is assessed by repeating identical exposures over the course of 1 h. The high yield of properly functioning pixels (98.8%), long-term stability (linear regression of whole-chip response over 1 h of acquisitions: y = - 0.0038 x + 2284 ; standard deviation: 3.7 counts), and energy resolution [2.5 keV full-width half-maximum (FWHM) (single pixel), 3.7 keV FWHM (across the full image)] make this device suitable for spectral micro-CT.

Evaluation of a photon counting Medipix3RX CZT spectral x-ray detector.

We assessed the performance of a cadmium zinc telluride (CZT)-based Medipix3RX x-ray detector as a candidate for micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) imaging. This technology was developed at CERN for the Large Hadron Collider. It features an array of 128 by 128, 110 micrometer square pixels, each with eight simultaneous threshold counters, five of which utilize real-time charge summing, significantly reducing the charge sharing between contiguous pixels. Pixel response curves were created by imaging a range of x-ray intensities by varying x-ray tube current and by varying the exposure time with fixed x-ray current. Photon energy-related assessments were made by flooding the detector with the tin foil filtered emission of an I-125 radioisotope brachytherapy seed and sweeping the energy threshold of each of the four charge-summed counters of each pixel in 1 keV steps. Long term stability assessments were made by repeating exposures over the course of one hour. The high properly-functioning pixel yield (99%), long term stability (linear regression of whole-chip response over one hour of acquisitions: y = -0.0038x + 2284; standard deviation: 3.7 counts) and energy resolution (2.5 keV FWHM (single pixel), 3.7 keV FWHM across the full image) make this device suitable for spectral micro-CT. The charge summing performance effectively reduced the measurement corruption caused by charge sharing which, when unaccounted for, shifts the photon energy assignment to lower energies, degrading both count and energy accuracy. Effective charge summing greatly improves the potential for calibrated, energy-specific material decomposition and K edge difference imaging approaches.

Energy calibration of the pixels of spectral X-ray detectors.

The energy information acquired using spectral X-ray detectors allows noninvasive identification and characterization of chemical components of a material. To achieve this, it is important that the energy response of the detector is calibrated. The established techniques for energy calibration are not practical for routine use in pre-clinical or clinical research environment. This is due to the requirements of using monochromatic radiation sources such as synchrotron, radio-isotopes, and prohibitively long time needed to set up the equipment and make measurements. To address these limitations, we have developed an automated technique for calibrating the energy response of the pixels in a spectral X-ray detector that runs with minimal user intervention. This technique uses the X-ray tube voltage (kVp) as a reference energy, which is stepped through an energy range of interest. This technique locates the energy threshold where a pixel transitions from not-counting (off) to counting (on). Similarly, we have developed a technique for calibrating the energy response of individual pixels using X-ray fluorescence generated by metallic targets directly irradiated with polychromatic X-rays, and additionally γ-rays from (241)Am. This technique was used to measure the energy response of individual pixels in CdTe-Medipix3RX by characterizing noise performance, threshold dispersion, gain variation and spectral resolution. The comparison of these two techniques shows the energy difference of 1 keV at 59.5 keV which is less than the spectral resolution of the detector (full-width at half-maximum of 8 keV at 59.5 keV). Both techniques can be used as quality control tools in a pre-clinical multi-energy CT scanner using spectral X-ray detectors.