In this study we demonstrate the first direct comparison between synchrotron x-ray propagation-based CT (PB-CT) and cone-beam breast-CT (CB-CT) on human mastectomy specimens (N = 12) including ...different benign and malignant lesions. The image quality and diagnostic power of the obtained data sets were compared and judged by two independent expert radiologists. Two cases are presented in detail in this paper including a comparison with the corresponding histological evaluation. Results indicate that with PB-CT it is possible to increase the level of contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) keeping the same level of dose used for the CB-CT or achieve the same level of CNR reached by CB-CT at a lower level of dose. In other words, PB-CT can achieve a higher diagnostic potential compared to the commercial breast-CT system while also delivering a considerably lower mean glandular dose. Therefore, we believe that PB-CT technique, if translated to a clinical setting, could have a significant impact in improving breast cancer diagnosis.
Results are presented of a feasibility study of three-dimensional X-ray tomographic mammography utilising in-line phase contrast. Experiments were performed at SYRMEP beamline of Elettra synchrotron. ...A specially designed plastic phantom and a mastectomy sample containing a malignant lesion were used to study the reconstructed image quality as a function of different image processing operations. Detailed evaluation and optimization of image reconstruction workflows have been carried out using combinations of several advanced computed tomography algorithms with different pre-processing and post-processing steps. Special attention was paid to the effect of phase retrieval on the diagnostic value of the reconstructed images. A number of objective image quality indices have been applied for quantitative evaluation of the results, and these were compared with subjective assessments of the same images by three experienced radiologists and one pathologist. The outcomes of this study provide practical guidelines for the optimization of image processing workflows in synchrotron-based phase-contrast mammo-tomography.
We present the first observation of self-amplified spontaneous emission (SASE) in a free-electron laser (FEL) in the vacuum ultraviolet regime at 109 nm wavelength (11 eV). The observed free-electron ...laser gain (approximately 3000) and the radiation characteristics, such as dependency on bunch charge, angular distribution, spectral width, and intensity fluctuations, are all consistent with the present models for SASE FELs.
The mammography project at the SYRMEP beamline Dreossi, D; Abrami, A; Arfelli, F ...
European journal of radiology,
12/2008, Letnik:
68, Številka:
3
Journal Article, Conference Proceeding
Recenzirano
Abstract A clinical program for X-ray phase contrast (PhC) mammography with synchrotron radiation (SR) has been started in March 2006 at the SYRMEP beamline of Elettra, the SR facility in Trieste, ...Italy. The original beamline layout has been modified substantially and a clinical facility has been realized. In order to fulfill all security requirements, dedicated systems have been designed and implemented, following redundancy criteria and “fail safe” philosophy. Planar radiographic images are obtained by scanning simultaneously the patient and the detector through the stationary and laminar SR beam. In this first phase of the project a commercial screen-film system has been used as image receptor. Upon approval by the respective authorities, the mammography program is about half way to conclusion. Up to now about 50 patients have been examined. The patients are volunteers recruited by the radiologist after conventional examinations at the hospital resulted in an uncertain diagnosis. As an example one case of PhC SR mammography is shown and compared to conventional digital mammography. Preliminary analysis shows the high diagnostic quality of the PhC SR images that were acquired with equal or less delivered dose compared to the conventional ones.
The main purpose of the SYRMEP (SYnchrotron Radiation for MEdical Physics) research team is the investigation and development of innovative techniques for medical imaging. A dedicated beamline has ...been built at ELETTRA to evaluate the effectiveness of synchrotron-based techniques in medical radiology with particular interest to mammography, and more in general, to the imaging of biological and biomedical samples, either in planar or tomographic set-ups. Taking advantage of the high intensity and high spatial coherence of Synchrotron Radiation (SR), phase sensitive techniques such as Phase Contrast (PhC) and Diffraction Enhanced Imaging (DEI) can be applied. After successful studies carried out on test objects and in vitro samples, the research in mammography is aiming at in vivo clinical trials. For this purpose, the layout of the SYRMEP beamline has been substantially modified and the safety system has been completely redesigned to guarantee the compliance with current radiation protection guidelines. In the present paper, the main characteristics of the beamline and an overview of the results obtained in different contexts of biomedical imaging are presented. Moreover, the status of the project for clinical mammography is outlined.
Study of the transverse coherence at the TTF free electron laser Ischebeck, R; Feldhaus, J; Gerth, Ch ...
Nuclear instruments & methods in physics research. Section A, Accelerators, spectrometers, detectors and associated equipment,
07/2003, Letnik:
507, Številka:
1-2
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
Double slits with different separations, crossed slits and circular apertures have been used to study the transverse coherence of the VUV light of the SASE Free Electron Laser at the TESLA Test ...facility at DESY. The resulting diffraction patterns are converted to visible light by a Ce:YAG crystal and imaged by a high-resolution CCD camera. The visibility of the diffraction patterns indicates a high degree of transverse coherence. Measurements have been taken at various operating modes and wavelengths of the FEL. A numeric FEL simulation code has been used to calculate the wavefronts of the light at the exit of the undulator. By propagating the wavefronts through the optical setup, the diffraction at the double slits is computed with the code GLAD. Good agreement with the measurements is found.
Objective
The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of phase-contrast mammography with synchrotron radiation using a high-resolution computed radiology (CR) system devoted to mammography.
...Materials and methods
The study was performed at the Synchrotron Radiation for Medical Physics (SYRMEP) beamline of the Elettra synchrotron radiation (SR) facility in Trieste (Italy); X-ray beams were in the range 16–22 keV with a high degree of monochromaticity and spatial coherence. The CR system evaluated is the FCR Profect CS by Fujifilm Global. The first images were obtained from test objects and surgical breast specimens. Images obtained using SR and both screen-film and the CR system were compared with images of the same samples acquired with digital mammography equipment. In view of the good quality of the results obtained, the CR system was used in two mammographic examinations with SR.
Results
Images acquired using SR and both screen-film and CR were obtained with the same level of delivered dose. Image quality obtained with CR was similar or superior to that of screen-film images. Moreover, the digital images obtained with SR were always better than those acquired using the digital mammography system.
Conclusions
Phase-contrast mammography with SR using the studied CR system is a feasible option.
Abstract The purpose of this study is evaluation of therapeutic impact of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in breast cancer patients that cannot be imaged adequately with traditional radiology: dense ...breasts, microcalcifications suspicious for carcinoma in situ or discordance between mammography and ultrasound. A review was performed of 493 patients’ records: determination of breast MRI effect on clinical management was made for the selected 70 cases by analysing pre-MRI and post-MRI therapeutic plans. Analysis of final pathology was useful to determine if the change in surgical plan prompted by MRI was appropriate. Breast MRI added clinical information in 52.9% of patients that resulted in 44.3% of management changes that were judged as appropriate in 83.9% of cases. Breast MRI provides additional useful information, but causes more extensive surgery (40%) with no proven prognostic benefit. MRI should be considered optional in the clinical staging of breast cancer and performed in selected cases.
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