Dual-Energy X-ray Medical Imaging with Inverse Compton Sources: A Simulation Study

Gianfranco Paternò,Angelo Taibi,Mauro Gambaccini,Paolo Cardarelli

doi:10.3390/cryst10090834

Gianfranco Paternò, Angelo Taibi + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst10090834

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Journal: Crystals	Publication Date: Sep 18, 2020
Citations: 9	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: University of Ferrara, INFN Sezione di Ferrara

Abstract

It has been long recognized that dual-energy imaging could help to enhance the detectability of lesions in diagnostic radiology, by removing the contrast of surrounding tissues. Furthermore, X-ray attenuation is material specific and information about the object constituents can be extracted for tissue characterisation, i.e., to assess whether lesions represent a malignant or benign process. However, a true separation between the low and high energy components is not possible with conventional sources because of their broad X-ray spectrum, and the artifacts produced in the subtracted image can be only partially removed. Finally, dose issues have also prevented so far the application of dual-energy techniques within the clinical context. Very recently, a new intense and monochromatic X-ray source was proposed to fill the gap between a synchrotron radiation facility and the standard X-ray tube. Indeed, inverse Compton scattering (ICS) sources, which are based on the interaction of a powerful laser beam and a bright beam of relativistic electrons, are among the most promising innovative sources of monochromatic X and gamma radiation. In this contribution, we review the main features that allow an ICS source to meet the requirements of a medical imaging application. Specific examples of K-edge subtraction are then provided, to show the potential of ICS in clinical applications that require intravenous injection of a contrast medium.

Highlights

Conventional X-ray imaging is implemented using polychromatic spectra and energy-integrating detectors, which measure the integral of the energy released by the incident X-ray photons on each pixel, losing all the information about the energy spectrum of the transmitted radiation
We focused on mammography and coronary angiography, since they are among the examinations that most benefit from the application of the K-edge digital subtraction (KES) technique to suppress the anatomical background and enhance the blood vessels perfused with a contrast agent [6], which in our case is iodine
In order to investigate the potential of Contrast-enhanced dual-energy mammography (CEDEM) and KES coronary angiography performed with inverse Compton X-rays, we adopted an analytical approach

Summary

Introduction

Conventional X-ray imaging is implemented using polychromatic spectra and energy-integrating detectors, which measure the integral of the energy released by the incident X-ray photons on each pixel, losing all the information about the energy spectrum of the transmitted radiation. This approach is sufficient for most traditional clinical applications, but has limitations especially in the case of low contrast details. Dual-energy imaging, proposed originally in 1976 by Alvarez and Macovski [1], is an image acquisition modality that uses two different X-ray energy measurements. From the images acquired with two X-ray spectra, information about the energy-dependent attenuation can be used to discriminate different materials. Dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) demonstrated the potential to become a well-established diagnostic tool in clinical routine [2]

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