Low density contrast agents for x-ray phase contrast imaging: the use of ambient air for x-ray angiography of excised murine liver tissue.
We report a new preparative method for providing contrast through reduction in electron density that is uniquely suited for propagation-based differential x-ray phase contrast imaging. The method, which results in an air or fluid filled vasculature, makes possible visualization of the smallest microvessels, roughly down to 15 microm, in an excised murine liver, while preserving the tissue for subsequent histological workup. We show the utility of spatial frequency filtering for increasing the visibility of minute features characteristic of phase contrast imaging, and the capability of tomographic reconstruction to reveal microvessel structure and three-dimensional visualization of the sample. The effect of water evaporation from livers during x-ray imaging on the visibility of blood vessels is delineated. The deformed vascular tree in a cancerous murine liver is imaged.
Laperle
Christopher M
CM
The Liver Research Center, Rhode Island Hospital and Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA.
Hamilton
Theron J
TJ
Wintermeyer
Philip
P
Walker
Evan J
EJ
Shi
Daxin
D
Anastasio
Mark A
MA
Derdak
Zoltan
Z
Wands
Jack R
JR
Diebold
Gerald
G
Rose-Petruck
Christoph
C
D000388:Air; D000792:Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D000818:Animals; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D005557:Formaldehyde; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods; D008099:Liver / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000098:blood supply / Q000473:pathology; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000473:pathology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D055806:Microvessels / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods
D003287:Contrast Media; D005557:Formaldehyde