title: Phase-contrast X-ray CT imaging of esophagus and esophageal carcinoma.
abstract: The electron density resolution is 1000 times higher for synchrotron-radiation phase-contrast CT imaging than conventional X-ray absorption imaging in light elements, with which high-resolution X-ray imaging of biological soft tissue can be achieved. In the present study, we used phase-contrast X-ray CT to investigate human resected esophagus and esophageal carcinoma specimens. This technology revealed the three-layer structure of the esophageal wall-- mucous, submucosa and muscular layers. The mucous and muscular layers were clearly separated by a loose submucosa layer with a honeycomb appearance. The surface of the mucous layer was smooth. In esophageal carcinoma, because of tumor tissue infiltration, the submucosa layer was absent, which indicated destruction of the submucosa. The boundary between normal tissue and tumor was comparatively fuzzy, the three-layer structure of the esophageal wall was indistinct. The surface of the mucous layer was rugose. The technology might be helpful in tumor staging of esophageal carcinoma.
authors.affiliation: First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Jianfa
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: 1] Institute of Clinical Pathology & Department of Pathology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China [2] The Judicial Critical Center, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Dongping
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tian
authors.affiliation: Institute of Clinical Pathology & Department of Pathology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Runhua
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.affiliation: Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201204, China.
authors.forename: Guangzhao
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.affiliation: Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201204, China.
authors.forename: Guanyun
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Peng
authors.affiliation: 1] Institute of Clinical Pathology & Department of Pathology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China [2] The Judicial Critical Center, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Min
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Su
mesh_terms: D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D004947:Esophagus / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D009367:Neoplasm Staging / Q000379:methods; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D017356:Synchrotrons; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*