Imaging Breast Microcalcifications Using Dark-Field Signal in Propagation-Based Phase-Contrast Tomography

Breast microcalcifications are an important primary radiological indicator of breast cancer. However, microcalcification classification and diagnosis may be still challenging for radiologists due to limitations of the standard 2D mammography technique, including spatial and contrast resolution. In this study, we propose an approach to improve the detection of microcalcifications in propagation-based phase-contrast X-ray computed tomography of breast tissues. Five fresh mastectomies containing microcalcifications were scanned at different X-ray energies and radiation doses using synchrotron radiation. Both bright-field (i.e. conventional phase-retrieved images) and dark-field images were extracted from the same data sets using different image processing methods. A quantitative analysis was performed in terms of visibility and contrast-to-noise ratio of microcalcifications. The results show that while the signal-to-noise and the contrast-to-noise ratios are lower, the visibility of the microcalcifications is more than two times higher in the dark-field images compared to the bright-field images. Dark-field images have also provided more accurate information about the size and shape of the microcalcifications.

Tomographic phase and attenuation extraction for a sample composed of unknown materials using x-ray propagation-based phase-contrast imaging

Propagation-based phase-contrast x-ray imaging (PB-PCXI) generates image contrast by utilizing sample-imposed phase-shifts. This has proven useful when imaging weakly attenuating samples, as conventional attenuation-based imaging does not always provide adequate contrast. We present a PB-PCXI algorithm capable of extracting the x-ray attenuation  β and refraction  δ, components of the complex refractive index of distinct materials within an unknown sample. The method involves curve fitting an error-function-based model to a phase-retrieved interface in a PB-PCXI tomographic reconstruction, which is obtained when Paganin-type phase retrieval is applied with incorrect values of δ and β. The fit parameters can then be used to calculate true δ and β values for composite materials. This approach requires no a priori sample information, making it broadly applicable. Our PB-PCXI reconstruction is single-distance, requiring only one exposure per tomographic angle, which is important for radiosensitive samples. We apply this approach to a breast-tissue sample, recovering the refraction component  δ, with 0.6-2.4% accuracy compared with theoretical values.

Tomographic reconstruction using tilted Laue analyser-based X-ray phase-contrast imaging

Analyser-based phase-contrast imaging (ABPCI) is a highly sensitive phase-contrast imaging method that produces high-contrast images of weakly absorbing materials. However, it is only sensitive to phase gradient components lying in the diffraction plane of the analyser crystal [i.e. in one dimension (1-D)]. In order to accurately account for and measure phase effects produced by the wavefield-sample interaction, ABPCI and other 1-D phase-sensitive methods must achieve 2-D phase gradient sensitivity. An inclined geometry method was applied to a Laue geometry setup for X-ray ABPCI through rotation of the detector and object about the optical axis. This allowed this traditionally 1-D phase-sensitive phase-contrast method to possess 2-D phase gradient sensitivity. Tomographic datasets were acquired over 360° of a multi-material phantom with the detector and sample tilted by 8°. The real and imaginary parts of the refractive index were reconstructed for the phantom.

Propagation-based x-ray phase-contrast tomography of mastectomy samples using synchrotron radiation

PURPOSE

Propagation-based phase-contrast computed tomography (PB-CT) is a method for three-dimensional x-ray imaging that utilizes refraction, as well as absorption, of x rays in the tissues to increase the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in the resultant images, in comparison with equivalent conventional absorption-only x-ray tomography (CT). Importantly, the higher SNR is achieved without sacrificing spatial resolution or increasing the radiation dose delivered to the imaged tissues. The present work has been carried out in the context of the current development of a breast CT imaging facility at the Australian Synchrotron.

METHODS

Seven unfixed complete mastectomy samples with and without breast cancer lesions have been imaged using absorption-only CT and PB-CT techniques under controlled experimental conditions. The radiation doses delivered to the mastectomy samples during the scans were comparable to those approved for mammographic screening. Physical characteristics of the reconstructed images, such as spatial resolution and SNR, have been measured and compared with the results of the radiological quality assessment of the complete absorption CT and PB-CT image stacks.

RESULTS

Despite the presence of some image artefacts, the PB-CT images have outperformed comparable absorption CT images collected at the same radiation dose, in terms of both the measured objective image characteristics and the radiological image scores. The outcomes of these experiments are shown to be consistent with predictions of the theory of PB-CT imaging and previous reported experimental studies of this imaging modality.

CONCLUSIONS

The results presented in this paper demonstrate that PB-CT holds a high potential for improving on the quality and diagnostic value of images obtained using existing medical x-ray technologies, such as mammography and digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT). If implemented at suitable synchrotron imaging facilities, PB-CT can be used to complement existing imaging modalities, leading to more accurate breast cancer diagnosis.

X-ray Bragg magnifier microscope as a linear shift invariant imaging system: image formation and phase retrieval

We present the theoretical description of the image formation with the in-line germanium Bragg Magnifier Microscope (BMM) and the first successful phase retrieval of X-ray holograms recorded with this imaging system. The conditions under which the BMM acts as a linear shift invariant system are theoretically explained and supported by the experiment. Such an approach simplifies the mathematical treatment of the image formation and reconstruction as complicated propagation of the wavefront onto inclined planes can be avoided. Quantitative phase retrieval is demonstrated using a test sample and a proof of concept phase imaging of a spider leg is also presented.

Ga droplet morphology on GaAs(001) studied by Lloyd's mirror photoemission electron microscopy

We apply Lloyd's mirror photoemission electron microscopy (PEEM) to study the surface shape of Ga droplets on GaAs(001). An unusual rectangular-based droplet shape is identified and the contact angle is determined in situ. It is shown that quenching does not appreciably affect droplet shape and ex situ measurements of the contact angle by atomic force microscopy are in good agreement with Lloyd's mirror PEEM. Extension of Lloyd's mirror technique to reconstruct general three-dimensional (3D) surface shapes and the potential use of synchrotron radiation to improve vertical resolution is discussed.

Deterministic retrieval of complex Green's functions using hard X rays

A massively parallel deterministic method is described for reconstructing shift-invariant complex Green's functions. As a first experimental implementation, we use a single phase contrast x-ray image to reconstruct the complex Green's function associated with Bragg reflection from a thick perfect crystal. The reconstruction is in excellent agreement with a classic prediction of dynamical diffraction theory.

A non-iterative reconstruction method for direct and unambiguous coherent diffractive imaging

We develop a deterministic algorithm for coherent diffractive imaging (CDI) that employs a modified Fourier transform of a Fraunhofer diffraction pattern to quantitatively reconstruct the complex scalar wavefield at the exit surface of a sample of interest. The sample is placed in a uniformly-illuminated rectangular hole with dimensions at least two times larger than the sample. For this particular scenario, and in the far-field diffraction case, our non-iterative reconstruction algorithm is rapid, exact and gives a unique analytical solution to the inverse problem. The efficacy and stability of the algorithm, which may achieve resolutions in the nanoscale range, is demonstrated using simulated X-ray data.

Unambiguous reconstruction of the complex amplitude reflection coefficient of a laterally homogeneous crystal using analyser-based phase-contrast imaging

A theoretical approach is developed to invert analytically a hard X-ray analyser-based phase-contrast image of a known weak object to recover the complex amplitude reflection coefficient (ARC) of a laterally homogeneous crystal. Numerical simulations test the method to recover the ARC from two systems of interest: a thick perfect crystal and a linearly strained thin film. For the latter model, a kinematical diffraction approximation was used to recover the one-dimensional deformation profile from the ARC.

Imaging surface topography using Lloyd's mirror in photoemission electron microscopy

We use Lloyd's mirror to modulate electron photoemission in photoemission electron microscopy. This results in the projection of Lloyd's fringes on to three-dimensional (3D) surface objects. An iterative reconstruction method is used to correct for distortions in the fringe pattern due to the cathode immersion lens, thereby providing a quantitative interpretation of surface shape. It is therefore possible to extract 3D height information directly from a two-dimensional, plan-view image. The technique is of sufficient intensity and contrast to study real-time changes in surface topography and we apply the method to study unusual contact-line dynamics during the reactive wetting of metal droplets.

Analyser-based phase contrast image reconstruction using geometrical optics

Analyser-based phase contrast imaging can provide radiographs of exceptional contrast at high resolution (<100 microm), whilst quantitative phase and attenuation information can be extracted using just two images when the approximations of geometrical optics are satisfied. Analytical phase retrieval can be performed by fitting the analyser rocking curve with a symmetric Pearson type VII function. The Pearson VII function provided at least a 10% better fit to experimentally measured rocking curves than linear or Gaussian functions. A test phantom, a hollow nylon cylinder, was imaged at 20 keV using a Si(1 1 1) analyser at the ELETTRA synchrotron radiation facility. Our phase retrieval method yielded a more accurate object reconstruction than methods based on a linear fit to the rocking curve. Where reconstructions failed to map expected values, calculations of the Takagi number permitted distinction between the violation of the geometrical optics conditions and the failure of curve fitting procedures. The need for synchronized object/detector translation stages was removed by using a large, divergent beam and imaging the object in segments. Our image acquisition and reconstruction procedure enables quantitative phase retrieval for systems with a divergent source and accounts for imperfections in the analyser.

A new approach to wide-angle dynamical X-ray diffraction by deformed crystals

A new approach is proposed for X-ray dynamical diffraction theory in distorted crystals. The theory allows one to perform dynamical diffraction simulations between Bragg peaks for non-ideal crystals, using a simple approach of two distorted waves. It can be directly applied for reciprocal-space simulation. The formalism is used to analyse high-resolution X-ray diffraction data, obtained for an InSb/InGaSb/InSb/InAs superlattice grown on top of a GaSb buffer layer on a (001) GaSb substrate.

Phase contrast X-ray imaging of mice and rabbit lungs: a comparative study

The significant degree of X-ray phase contrast created by air-tissue interfaces, coupled with the poor radiographic contrast of conventional chest radiographs, makes the inflated lung an ideal candidate for investigating the potential diagnostic improvement afforded by phase contrast X-ray imaging. In small animals these methods highlight the lung airways and lobe boundaries and reveal the lung tissue as a speckled intensity pattern not seen in other soft tissues. We have compared analyser-based and propagation-based phase contrast imaging modalities, together with conventional radiographic imaging, to ascertain which technique shows the greatest image enhancement for various lung sizes. The conventional radiographic image of a mouse was obtained on a Siemens Nova 3000 mammography system, whilst phase contrast images of mice and rabbit chests were acquired at the medical imaging beamline (20B2) at the SPring-8 synchrotron radiation research facility in Japan. For mice aged 1 day, 1 week and 1 month old it was determined that analyser-based imaging showed the greatest overall image contrast, however, for an adult rabbit both techniques yielded excellent contrast. The success of these methods in creating high quality images for rabbit lungs raises the possibility of improving human lung imaging using phase contrast techniques.

Analysis of the mosaic structure of an ordered (Al,Ga)N layer

The mosaic structure of an (Al,Ga)N layer grown on (0001) sapphire showing natural ordering was studied by high-resolution X-ray diffraction (HRXRD) reciprocal-space mapping. The direction-dependent mosaicity of the layer has been elaborated using maps of symmetrical and asymmetrical reflections. The reciprocal-lattice points show significant broadening depending on the direction in reciprocal space, the diffraction order and the reflection type (fundamental or superstructural). The evaluation followed two paths: (i) a procedure based on the Williamson–Hall plot and (ii) a new approach based on the statistical diffraction theory (SDT). Here, the transformed Takagi equations were implemented for the simulation of the reciprocal-space maps (RSM) for symmetrical and asymmetrical reflections. The reconstruction comprised the mosaic block size, their average rotation angle and the spatial distribution of some components of the microdistortion tensor. The results based on the SDT modelling agree well with those obtained by the Williamson–Hall method, while providing a higher degree of precision and detail.

Collection of reciprocal space maps using imaging plates at the Australian National Beamline Facility at the Photon Factory

Weissenberg screens and a translating cassette have been employed to allow an imaging plate to collect 30 scans per readout. In this configuration the imaging plate functions as a curved one-dimensional position-sensitive detector and, by changing the sample angle for each of the scans, two-dimensional images were produced in reciprocal space. This method of data collection leads to a reduction in scan time compared with methods based on a scintillation detector, particularly for asymmetric reflections. The data-collection method was tested using InGaN/GaN/AlN multilayers on sapphire substrates, since these exhibit broad features in reciprocal space. The geometry of the scans in reciprocal space required the data to be interpolated onto a Cartesian grid. Several interpolation schemes were investigated, with the results compared with the reciprocal space maps collected using a triple-axis scheme with a point detector. The quality of the interpolated reciprocal space maps depends upon the size and shape of the feature in reciprocal space, the interpolation method used, and the step size of the sample rotation. The method can be extended to three dimensions without an increase in data-collection time.