title: A highly sensitive x-ray imaging modality for hepatocellular carcinoma detection in vitro.
abstract: Innovations that improve sensitivity and reduce cost are of paramount importance in diagnostic imaging. The novel x-ray imaging modality called spatial frequency heterodyne imaging (SFHI) is based on a linear arrangement of x-ray source, tissue, and x-ray detector, much like that of a conventional x-ray imaging apparatus. However, SFHI rests on a complete paradigm reversal compared to conventional x-ray absorption-based radiology: while scattered x-rays are carefully rejected in absorption-based x-ray radiology to enhance the image contrast, SFHI forms images exclusively from x-rays scattered by the tissue. In this study we use numerical processing to produce x-ray scatter images of hepatocellular carcinoma labeled with a nanoparticle contrast agent. We subsequently compare the sensitivity of SFHI in this application to that of both conventional x-ray imaging and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Although SFHI is still in the early stages of its development, our results show that the sensitivity of SFHI is an order of magnitude greater than that of absorption-based x-ray imaging and approximately equal to that of MRI. As x-ray imaging modalities typically have lower installation and service costs compared to MRI, SFHI could become a cost effective alternative to MRI, particularly in areas of the world with inadequate availability of MRI facilities.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Brown University, 324 Brook Street, Providence, Rhode Island 02912, USA.
authors.forename: Danielle
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rand
authors.forename: Edward G
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: Walsh
authors.forename: Zoltan
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Derdak
authors.forename: Jack R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Wands
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rose-Petruck
mesh_terms: D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D006046:Gold / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D013052:Spectrometry, X-Ray Emission / Q000379:methods*; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured; D014965:X-Rays
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D006046:Gold