Algorithm for X-ray Scatter, Beam-Hardening, and Beam Profile Correction in Diagnostic (Kilovoltage) and Treatment (Megavoltage) Cone Beam CT

Quantitative reconstruction of cone beam X-ray computed tomography (CT) datasets requires accurate modeling of scatter, beam-hardening, beam profile, and detector response. Typically, commercial imaging systems use fast empirical corrections that are designed to reduce visible artifacts due to incomplete modeling of the image formation process. In contrast, Monte Carlo (MC) methods are much more accurate but are relatively slow. Scatter kernel superposition (SKS) methods offer a balance between accuracy and computational practicality. We show how a single SKS algorithm can be employed to correct both kilovoltage (kV) energy (diagnostic) and megavoltage (MV) energy (treatment) X-ray images. Using MC models of kV and MV imaging systems, we map intensities recorded on an amorphous silicon flat panel detector to water-equivalent thicknesses (WETs). Scattergrams are derived from acquired projection images using scatter kernels indexed by the local WET values and are then iteratively refined using a scatter magnitude bounding scheme that allows the algorithm to accommodate the very high scatter-to-primary ratios encountered in kV imaging. The algorithm recovers radiological thicknesses to within 9% of the true value at both kV and megavolt energies. Nonuniformity in CT reconstructions of homogeneous phantoms is reduced by an average of 76% over a wide range of beam energies and phantom geometries.      

Investigation of X-ray fluorescence computed tomography (XFCT) and K-edge imaging

This work provides a comprehensive Monte Carlo study of X-ray fluorescence computed tomography (XFCT) and K-edge imaging system, including the system design, the influence of various imaging components, the sensitivity and resolution under various conditions. We modified the widely used EGSnrc/DOSXYZnrc code to simulate XFCT images of two acrylic phantoms loaded with various concentrations of gold nanoparticles and Cisplatin for a number of XFCT geometries. In particular, reconstructed signal as a function of the width of the detector ring, its angular coverage and energy resolution were studied. We found that XFCT imaging sensitivity of the modeled systems consisting of a conventional X-ray tube and a full 2-cm-wide energy-resolving detector ring was 0.061% and 0.042% for gold nanoparticles and Cisplatin, respectively, for a dose of ～ 10 cGy. Contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of XFCT images of the simulated acrylic phantoms was higher than that of transmission K-edge images for contrast concentrations below 0.4%.     

Scatter correction method for X-ray CT using primary modulation: theory and preliminary results

An X-ray system with a large area detector has high scatter-to-primary ratios (SPRs), which result in severe artifacts in reconstructed computed tomography (CT) images. A scatter correction algorithm is introduced that provides effective scatter correction but does not require additional patient exposure. The key hypothesis of the algorithm is that the high-frequency components of the X-ray spatial distribution do not result in strong high-frequency signals in the scatter. A calibration sheet with a checkerboard pattern of semitransparent blockers (a "primary modulator") is inserted between the X-ray source and the object. The primary distribution is partially modulated by a high-frequency function, while the scatter distribution still has dominant low-frequency components, based on the hypothesis. Filtering and demodulation techniques suffice to extract the low-frequency components of the primary and hence obtain the scatter estimation. The hypothesis was validated using Monte Carlo (MC) simulation, and the algorithm was evaluated by both MC simulations and physical experiments. Reconstructions of a software humanoid phantom suggested system parameters in the physical implementation and showed that the proposed method reduced the relative mean square error of the reconstructed image in the central region of interest from 74.2% to below 1%. In preliminary physical experiments on the standard evaluation phantom, this error was reduced from 31.8% to 2.3%, and it was also demonstrated that the algorithm has no noticeable impact on the resolution of the reconstructed image in spite of the filter-based approach. Although the proposed scatter correction technique was implemented for X-ray CT, it can also be used in other X-ray imaging applications, as long as a primary modulator can be inserted between the X-ray source and the imaged object.     

Incorporation of system resolution compensation (RC) in the ordered-subset transmission (OSTR) algorithm for transmission imaging in SPECT

In order to reconstruct attenuation maps with improved spatial resolution and quantitative accuracy, we developed an approximate method of incorporating system resolution compensation (RC) in the ordered-subset transmission (OSTR) algorithm for transmission reconstruction. Our method approximately models the blur caused by the finite intrinsic detector resolution, the nonideal source collimation and detector collimation. We derived the formulation using the optimization transfer principle as in the derivation of the OSTR algorithm. The formulation includes one forward-blur step and one back-blur step, which do not severely slow down reconstruction. The formulation could be applicable to various transmission geometries, such as point-source, line-source, and sheet-source systems. Through computer simulations of the MCAT phantom and transmission measurements of the air-filled Data Spectrum Deluxe single photo emission computed tomography (SPECT) Phantom on a system which employed a cone-beam geometry and a system which employed a scanning-line-source geometry, we showed that incorporation of RC increased spatial resolution and improved the quantitative accuracy of reconstruction. In simulation studies, attenuation maps reconstructed with RC correction improved the quantitative accuracy of emission reconstruction.     

A new solid-conversion gas detector for high energy X-ray industrial computed tomography

A new type of solid-conversion gas detector is investigated for high energy X-ray industrial computed tomography (HECT). The conversion efficiency is calculated by using the EGSnrc Monte Carlo code on the Linux platform to simulate the transport process of photons and electrons in the detector. The simulation results show that the conversion efficiency could be more than 65%, if the X-ray beam width is less than about 0.2 mm, and a tungsten slab with 0.2 mm thickness and 30 mm length is employed as a radiation conversion medium. Meanwhile the results indicate that this new detector has higher conversion efficiency as well as less volume. Theoretically this new kind of detector could take place of the traditional scintillation detector for HECT.     

Evaluation of an efficient compensation method for quantitative fan-beam brain SPECT reconstruction

Fan-beam collimators are designed to improve the system sensitivity and resolution for imaging small objects such as the human brain and breasts in single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). Many reconstruction algorithms have been studied and applied to this geometry to deal with every kind of degradation factor. This paper presents a new reconstruction approach for SPECT with circular orbit, which demonstrated good performance in terms of both accuracy and efficiency. The new approach compensates for degradation factors including noise, scatter, attenuation, and spatially variant detector response. Its uniform attenuation approximation strategy avoids the additional transmission scan for the brain attenuation map, hence reducing the patient radiation dose and furthermore simplifying the imaging procedure. We evaluate and compare this new approach with the well-established ordered-subset expectation-maximization iterative method, using Monte Carlo simulations. We perform quantitative analysis with regional bias-variance, receiver operating characteristics, and Hotelling trace studies for both methods. The results demonstrate that our reconstruction strategy has comparable performance with a significant reduction of computing time.     

The Dynamic Spatial Reconstructor: An X-Ray Video-Fluoroscopic CT Scanner for Dynamic Volume Imaging of Moving Organs

The trend in development of X-ray computed tomography systems over the past decade has been toward faster and faster scanners, with comcomitant improvement in image quality. The preliminary results from the DSR scanner suggest the advent of two new, powerful dimensions in X-ray computed tomography high temporal resolution and synchronous volume scanning. That is, true stop-action, full three-dimensional imaging at a high repetition rate is possible with CT scanners. Such capabilities promise to make possible new basic investigative and clinical studies of the structural-to-functional relationships of moving organ systems like the heart and lungs, and of the circulation in any organ of the body. Current state-of-the-art CT technology holds promise of exciting new clinical and research capabilities, such as quantitative analysis of regional blood flow and perfusion, simultaneous measurement of physiologic function and anatomic structure, and differential diagnosis of disease based on determination of tissue composition in any organ or region of the body, with a sensitivity and specificity not possible before.     

Sensitivity of photon-counting based K-edge imaging in X-ray computed tomography

The feasibility of K-edge imaging using energy-resolved, photon-counting transmission measurements in X-ray computed tomography (CT) has been demonstrated by simulations and experiments. The method is based on probing the discontinuities of the attenuation coefficient of heavy elements above and below the K-edge energy by using energy-sensitive, photon counting X-ray detectors. In this paper, we investigate the dependence of the sensitivity of K-edge imaging on the atomic number Z of the contrast material, on the object diameter D , on the spectral response of the X-ray detector and on the X-ray tube voltage. We assume a photon-counting detector equipped with six adjustable energy thresholds. Physical effects leading to a degradation of the energy resolution of the detector are taken into account using the concept of a spectral response function R(E,U) for which we assume four different models. As a validation of our analytical considerations and in order to investigate the influence of elliptically shaped phantoms, we provide CT simulations of an anthropomorphic Forbild-Abdomen phantom containing a gold-contrast agent. The dependence on the values of the energy thresholds is taken into account by optimizing the achievable signal-to-noise ratios (SNR) with respect to the threshold values. We find that for a given X-ray spectrum and object size the SNR in the heavy element's basis material image peaks for a certain atomic number Z. The dependence of the SNR in the high- Z basis-material image on the object diameter is the natural, exponential decrease with particularly deteriorating effects in the case where the attenuation from the object itself causes a total signal loss below the K-edge. The influence of the energy-response of the detector is very important. We observed that the optimal SNR values obtained with an ideal detector and with a CdTe pixel detector whose response, showing significant tailing, has been determined at a synchrotron differ by factors of about two to three. The potentially very important impact of scattered X-ray radiation and pulse pile-up occurring at high photon rates on the sensitivity of the technique is qualitatively discussed.     

快速高能X射线光栅相衬成像

X射线光栅相衬成像对弱吸收物质成像能够获得较高的图像衬度,然而使用高分辨探测器,成像时间长。此外,受光栅工艺限制,成像能量通常在30 keV左右。文中基于投影成像原理,大大放宽了对光栅工艺的要求,提高了成像能量。同时,利用医用CT球管以及医用探测器,基于周步进扫描模式,实现了快速相衬CT成像。在国家同步辐射实验室搭建的成像系统上,完成了80 kV管电压（等效能量约48 keV）180 mA管电流,物体80 s曝光的二维和三维成像实验。针对实验结果,进一步探讨了提高密度分辨率的方法和途径。     

Direct comparison of a xenon and a solid-state CT detector system: measurements under working conditions

Measurements of various image quality parameters were carried out with two different detector systems in an otherwise unchanged medical computed tomography (CT) scanner. As all other components of the scanner and the image reconstruction system remained identical, we were able to quantify the difference in performance between a Xenon gas ionization detector and a new solid-state scintillation detector in an isolated fashion. We determined noise, spatial resolution, and artifact behavior and assessed the potential for dose reduction. No significant impact of the detector change on absolute CT values of a calibration phantom was observed. Spatial resolution was improved by more than 10% for the solid-state system. As the system's modulation transfer functions were measured with a wire phantom and otherwise unchanged scanner geometry and image reconstruction algorithm, the increase of resolution is explained by the improved temporal response of the solid-state detector. At the same time, noise was reduced by 12% for a 20-cm diameter water phantom. The noise reduction corresponds to a possible reduction of patient dose by 23% for constant image quality, which is in good agreement with our prediction by estimations of both systems total detective quantum efficiency. Also, a significant improvement of scatter rejection was found for the solid-state system.     

Image restoration in computed tomography: estimation of the spatially variant point spread function

An indirect method for determining the point-spread-function (PSF) in computed tomography (CT) is described. Unlike experimental techniques in which a resolution phantom is scanned to obtain the system PSF, the approach estimates the parameters of a model which describes the two-dimensional X-ray beam profile at each point as a convolution of the appropriately scaled focal spot intensity and detector sensitivity distributions. The model was validated by experimental measurement of the focal spot intensity distribution. Using known X-ray beam profiles, the PSF of a CT scanner can be derived by simulating the data collection process and applying conventional image reconstruction techniques. Visual comparison of directly measured and computed PSFs reveals an asymmetry resulting from misregistration of the phantom wires and the image grid.     

Spatial-resolution enhancement in computed tomography

We propose an approach that combines an asymmetric fan-beam configuration and a new reconstruction algorithm to enhancing spatial resolution in computed tomography (CT). The asymmetric configuration can be achieved by changing the center of rotation (COR) from the conventional symmetric configuration. It does not, however, require new detectors and X-ray source nor alter the relative geometry between the detector and the X-ray source. By effectively reducing the distance of the COR to the X-ray source, the asymmetric configuration can increase the effective sampling density in projection data without reducing the size of the field of view (FOV). The proposed algorithm, on the other hand, can reconstruct images directly from data acquired with this asymmetric configuration. We performed numerical studies to demonstrate and validate the proposed acquisition/reconstruction approach. Results in these studies confirm that the proposed approach can lead to enhanced spatial resolution in reconstructed images. The proposed acquisition/reconstruction approach may find applications in micro-CT and industrial CT in which the CORs may be changed.     

Quantitative assessment of lesion detection accuracy, resolution, and reconstruction algorithms in neutron stimulated emission computed tomography

We present a quantitative analysis of the image quality obtained using filtered back-projection (FBP) with Ram-Lak filtering and maximum likelihood-expectation maximization (ML-EM)-with no post-reconstruction filtering in either case-in neutron stimulated emission computed tomography (NSECT) imaging using Monte Carlo simulations in the context of clinically relevant models of liver iron overload. The ratios of pixel intensities for several regions of interest and lesion shape detection using an active-contours segmentation algorithm are assessed for accuracy across different scanning configurations and reconstruction algorithms. The modulation transfer functions (MTFs) are also computed for the cases under study and are applied to determine a minimum detectable lesion spacing as a form of sensitivity analysis. The accuracy of NSECT imaging in measuring relative tissue concentration is presented for simulated clinical liver cases. When using the 15th iteration, ML-EM provides at least 25% better resolution than FBP and proves to be highly robust under low-signal high-noise conditions prevalent in NSECT. However, FBP gives more accurate lesion pixel intensity ratios and size estimates in some cases; due to advantages provided by both reconstruction algorithms, it is worth exploring the development of an algorithm that is a hybrid of the two. We also show that NSECT imaging can be used to accurately detect 3-cm lesions in backgrounds that are a significant fraction (one-quarter) of the concentration of the lesion, down to a 4-cm spacing between lesions.     

Quadratic Regularization Design for 2-D CT

Statistical methods for tomographic image reconstruction have improved noise and spatial resolution properties that may improve image quality in X-ray computed tomography (CT). Penalized weighted least squares (PWLS) methods using conventional quadratic regularization lead to nonuniform and anisotropic spatial resolution due to interactions between the weighting, which is necessary for good noise properties, and the regularizer. Previously, we addressed this problem for parallel-beam emission tomography using matrix algebra methods to design data-dependent, shift-variant regularizers that improve resolution uniformity. This paper develops a fast angular integral mostly analytical (AIMA) regularization design method for 2-D fan-beam X-ray CT imaging, for which parallel-beam tomography is a special case. Simulation results demonstrate that the new method for regularization design requires very modest computation and leads to nearly uniform and isotropic spatial resolution in transmission tomography when using quadratic regularization.     

Resolution and noise properties of MAP reconstruction for fully 3-D PET

We derive approximate analytical expressions for the local impulse response and covariance of images reconstructed from fully three-dimensional (3-D) positron emission tomography (PET) data using maximum a posteriori (MAP) estimation. These expressions explicitly account for the spatially variant detector response and sensitivity of a 3-D tomograph. The resulting spatially variant impulse response and covariance are computed using 3-D Fourier transforms. A truncated Gaussian distribution is used to account for the effect on the variance of the nonnegativity constraint used in MAP reconstruction. Using Monte Carlo simulations and phantom data from the microPET small animal scanner, we show that the approximations provide reasonably accurate estimates of contrast recovery and covariance of MAP reconstruction for priors with quadratic energy functions. We also describe how these analytical results can be used to achieve near-uniform contrast recovery throughout the reconstructed volume.     

Towards cardiac C-arm computed tomography

Cardiac interventional procedures would benefit tremendously from sophisticated three-dimensional image guidance. Such procedures are typically performed with C-arm angiography systems, and tomographic imaging is currently available only by using preprocedural computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. Recent developments in C-arm CT (Angiographic CT) allow three-dimensional (3-D) imaging of low contrast details with angiography imaging systems for noncardiac applications. We propose a new approach for cardiac imaging that takes advantage of this improved contrast resolution and is based on intravenous contrast injection. The method is an analogue to multisegment reconstruction in cardiac CT adapted to the much slower rotational speed of C-arm CT. Motion of the heart is considered in the reconstruction process by retrospective electrocardiogram (ECG)-gating, using only projections acquired at a similar heart phase. A series of N almost identical rotational acquisitions is performed at different heart phases to obtain a complete data set at a minimum temporal resolution of 1/N of the heart cycle time. First results in simulation, using an experimental phantom, and in preclinical in vivo studies showed that excellent image quality can be achieved.     

Fast predictions of variance images for fan-beam transmission tomography with quadratic regularization

Accurate predictions of image variances can be useful for reconstruction algorithm analysis and for the design of regularization methods. Computing the predicted variance at every pixel using matrix-based approximations [1] is impractical. Even most recently adopted methods that are based on local discrete Fourier approximations are impractical since they would require a forward and backprojection and two fast Fourier transform (FFT) calculations for every pixel, particularly for shift-variant systems like fan-beam tomography. This paper describes new "analytical" approaches to predicting the approximate variance maps of 2-D images that are reconstructed by penalized-likelihood estimation with quadratic regularization in fan-beam geometries. The simplest of the proposed analytical approaches requires computation equivalent to one backprojection and some summations, so it is computationally practical even for the data sizes in X-ray computed tomography (CT). Simulation results show that it gives accurate predictions of the variance maps. The parallel-beam geometry is a simple special case of the fan-beam analysis. The analysis is also applicable to 2-D positron emission tomography (PET).     

Computerized tomography with X-ray, emission, and ultrasound sources

This paper reviews the major developments that have taken place during the last three years in imaging with computed tomography (CT) using X-ray, emission, and ultrasound sources. Space limitations have resulted in some selection of topics by the author. There are four major sections dealing with algorithms, X-ray CT, emission CT, and ultrosound CT. Since most of the currently used algorithms are of filtered-backprojection type, we have concentrated on these in the section on algorithms (with emphasis on their implementation aspects). In X-ray CT an important question raised during the last few years has concerned the parameter measured by a CT scanner, given the fact that the X-rays used in CT scanners are polychromatic and the fact that tissue attenuation coefficients are energy dependent. Answers to this question are reviewed in the section on X-ray CT where we have also discussed the artifacts caused by the polychromaticity of the X-ray photons. Methods for the removal of these artifacts have also been reviewed. In emission CT the biggest development of the last three years is the great interest in positron tomography, although space constraints have dictated an essentially introductory treatment and not all aspects of the single photon and positron tomography have been surveyed. Finally, we have reviewed recent developments in ultrasound CT. We have pointed out that because of the sensitivity of this technique to refraction, it is currently limited to soft tissue structures, with ultrasonic detection of tumors in the female breast a significant application.     

A graphical method for determining the in-plane rotation angle in geometric calibration of circular cone-beam CT systems

It is well known that seven parameters completely describe a circular cone-beam geometry in either flat-panel X-ray computed tomography (CT) or single pinhole SPECT imaging. This paper considers the problem of determining one of the seven parameters only, the detector in-plane rotation or twist angle η. We describe a graphical procedure that can determine η independently of all other six parameters from a geometric calibration scan of point objects. Our method is exact in the ideal noise-free case and is general in that the other two out-of-plane detector rotation angles θ and φ can be nonzero. The calibration scan typically needs at least two point objects and an even number of projection views over a full 360° data acquisition. Under certain conditions, projection data truncation or a short scan acquisition of 180° + fan angle can be accommodated without affecting the accuracy of the calibration result. The graphical method is equally applicable to rotational multipinhole SPECT geometry. In this case, the final result is averaged from the individual estimates considering each pinhole separately. We use computer simulations and a multipinhole SPECT experiment to demonstrate the accuracy and precision of the proposed method.     

Diffuser-aided diffuse optical imaging for breast tumor: a feasibility study based on time-resolved three-dimensional Monte Carlo modeling

This study proposed diffuser-aided diffuse optical imaging (DADOI) as a new approach to improve the performance of the conventional diffuse optical tomography (DOT) approach for breast imaging. The 3-D breast model for Monte Carlo simulation is remodeled from clinical MRI image. The modified Beer-Lambert's law is adopted with the DADOI approach to substitute the complex algorithms of inverse problem for mapping of spatial distribution, and the depth information is obtained based on the time-of-flight estimation. The simulation results demonstrate that the time-resolved Monte Carlo method can be capable of performing source-detector separations analysis. The dynamics of photon migration with various source-detector separations are analyzed for the characterization of breast tissue and estimation of optode arrangement. The source-detector separations should be less than 4 cm for breast imaging in DOT system. Meanwhile, the feasibility of DADOI was manifested in this study. In the results, DADOI approach can provide better imaging contrast and faster imaging than conventional DOT measurement. The DADOI approach possesses great potential to detect the breast tumor in early stage and chemotherapy monitoring that implies a good feasibility for clinical application.