Abstract
X-ray attenuation coefficients are used in common radiological, pathological and spectroscopic examinations and in the determination of the radiation dose distribution in biological tissues. In radiology, these coefficients enable diagnosis by differentiating the abnormal tissues from the normal ones using their morphological structure and contrast differences. In this study, our aim is to precisely determine the linear x-ray attenuation coefficients of pathological brain tissues and to use x-ray beam filters to enhance the tissue contrast in computed tomography. To directly measure the relative linear attenuation coefficients, an energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy system (EDXRS-Canberra, Si(Li) with DSA-1000 spectrum analyzer 1998; CT, USA) was used with collimators and a medical-purpose x-ray tube (Siemens, Siremobil, 1985; Erlangen, Germany) in a linear geometry. Using a Mo filter with Computed Tomography CT and photon energies from 15 to 25 keV, EDXRS acquisitions were found to significantly distinguish grades of brain tumors (p<0.05). For the data acquired from CT systems with the decreasing filtered photon mean energy, the x-ray attenuation coefficients (i.e., the Hounsfield units) show that the ratio of EDXRS to CT for water's attenuation coefficient are increased. With our suggested x-ray filters, the tissue contrast has been found to be increased in ex vivo brain tumor slices compared with slices scanned in conventional CT scanners. X-ray attenuations measured with the EDXRS are found to be statistically more reliable because of the length of acquisition times in this study.
Highlights
Medical imaging, the principal method for noninvasively obtaining anatomical and physiological information about the human body, has experienced considerable advances in technology and clinical applications over the past 25 years [1]
For the data acquired from computed tomography (CT) systems with the decreasing filtered photon mean energy, the x-ray attenuation coefficients show that the ratio of energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy system (EDXRS) to CT for water’s attenuation coefficient are increased
The CT x-ray beam spectral shape has been studied by many researchers because the reduction of the radiation dose and an enhancement of the contrast could be achieved in various fields of diagnostic radiology [2]
Summary
The principal method for noninvasively obtaining anatomical and physiological information about the human body, has experienced considerable advances in technology and clinical applications over the past 25 years [1]. X-ray computed tomography (CT) is one modality that has developed in both technique and application. CT imaging of the brain can help in the early diagnosis of malignant tissue abnormalities by distinguishing grades of disease and avoiding invasive interventions into the skull. The CT x-ray beam spectral shape has been studied by many researchers because the reduction of the radiation dose and an enhancement of the contrast could be achieved in various fields of diagnostic radiology [2]. The contrast and dose have been studied in soft tissues using the x-ray tube photon attenuation, both experimental and theoretical [3, 4]. If the contrast agent enhancement can be increased while using x-ray beam filters, angiographic examinations may yield more [5]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
