In-vivo X-ray Dark-Field Chest Radiography of a Pig

作者：Lukas B. Gromann, Fabio De Marco, Konstantin Willer, Peter B. Noël, K. Scherer, Bernhard Renger, Bernhard Gleich, Klaus Achterhold, Alexander A. Fingerle, Daniela Muenzel, Sigrid Auweter, Katharina Hellbach, Maximilian F. Reiser, Andrea Baehr, Michaela Dmochewitz, Tobias J. Schroeter, Frieder Koch, Pascal Meyer, N. Kunka, J. Mohr, Andre Yaroshenko, Hanns-Ingo Maack, Thomas Pralow, Hendrik van der Heijden, Roland Proksa, Thomas Koehler, Nataly Wieberneit, Karsten Rindt, Ernst J. Rummeny, Franz Pfeiffer, Julia Herzen · 发表于：Scientific Reports · 年份：2017 · DOI：10.1038/s41598-017-05101-w · 被引用次数：102 · 研究领域：Advanced X-ray Imaging Techniques、Advanced X-ray and CT Imaging、Nuclear Physics and Applications

Abstract X-ray chest radiography is an inexpensive and broadly available tool for initial assessment of the lung in clinical routine, but typically lacks diagnostic sensitivity for detection of pulmonary diseases in their early stages. Recent X-ray dark-field (XDF) imaging studies on mice have shown significant improvements in imaging-based lung diagnostics. Especially in the case of early diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), XDF imaging clearly outperforms conventional radiography. However, a translation of this technique towards the investigation of larger mammals and finally humans has not yet been achieved. In this letter, we present the first in - vivo XDF full-field chest radiographs (32 × 35 cm 2 ) of a living pig, acquired with clinically compatible parameters (40 s scan time, approx. 80 µSv dose). For imaging, we developed a novel high-energy XDF system that overcomes the limitations of currently established setups. Our XDF radiographs yield sufficiently high image quality to enable radiographic evaluation of the lungs. We consider this a milestone in the bench-to-bedside translation of XDF imaging and expect XDF imaging to become an invaluable tool in clinical practice, both as a general chest X-ray modality and as a dedicated tool for high-risk patients affected by smoking, industrial work and indoor cooking.