title: Quantitative evaluation of a single-distance phase-retrieval method applied on in-line phase-contrast images of a mouse lung.
abstract: Propagation-based X-ray phase-contrast computed tomography (PBI) has already proven its potential in a great variety of soft-tissue-related applications including lung imaging. However, the strong edge enhancement, caused by the phase effects, often hampers image segmentation and therefore the quantitative analysis of data sets. Here, the benefits of applying single-distance phase retrieval prior to the three-dimensional reconstruction (PhR) are discussed and quantified compared with three-dimensional reconstructions of conventional PBI data sets in terms of contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) and preservation of image features. The PhR data sets show more than a tenfold higher CNR and only minor blurring of the edges when compared with PBI in a predominately absorption-based set-up. Accordingly, phase retrieval increases the sensitivity and provides more functionality in computed tomography imaging.
authors: The Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics, Trieste, Italy.
authors: Sara
authors: S
authors: Mohammadi
authors: Synchrotron Light Source `Elettra' Trieste, Strada Statale 14, km 163.5 in AREA Science Park, Basovizza 34149, Italy.
authors: Emanuel
authors: E
authors: Larsson
authors: Department of Hematology/Oncology, University Hospital Goettingen, Robert Koch Strasse 40, Goettingen, Lower Saxony 37075, Germany.
authors: Frauke
authors: F
authors: Alves
authors: Cluster in Biomedicine s.c.r.l., AREA Science Park, Strada Statale 14, km 163.5, Basovizza, 34149 Trieste, Italy.
authors: Simeone
authors: S
authors: Dal Monego
authors: Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, via dell'Istria 65/1, 34137 Trieste, Italy.
authors: Stefania
authors: S
authors: Biffi
authors: Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, via dell'Istria 65/1, 34137 Trieste, Italy.
authors: Chiara
authors: C
authors: Garrovo
authors: Cluster in Biomedicine s.c.r.l., AREA Science Park, Strada Statale 14, km 163.5, Basovizza, 34149 Trieste, Italy.
authors: Andrea
authors: A
authors: Lorenzon
authors: Synchrotron Light Source `Elettra' Trieste, Strada Statale 14, km 163.5 in AREA Science Park, Basovizza 34149, Italy.
authors: Giuliana
authors: G
authors: Tromba
authors: Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Goettingen, Robert Koch Strasse 40, Goettingen, Lower Saxony 37075, Germany.
authors: Christian
authors: C
authors: Dullin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D008168:Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D051379:Mice; D008858:Microscopy, Phase-Contrast / Q000379:methods*; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D011857:Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*
keywords: computed tomography; lung imaging; phase retrieval; phase-contrast imaging