Atherosclerotic plaque imaging using phase-contrast X-ray computed tomography
Atherosclerotic plaque imaging using phase-contrast X-ray computed tomography
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DOI：
10.1152/ajpheart.01149.2007
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发表时间：
2008-02-01
影响因子：
4.8
通讯作者：
Momose, Atsushi
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Shinohara, Masakazu;Yamashita, Tomoya;Momose, Atsushi
临床上需要可靠的、非侵入性的成像方式来表征斑块成分，以检测引起急性冠状动脉综合征的不稳定冠状动脉斑块。尽管计算机断层扫描 (CT) 的最新临床发展已经能够可视化冠状动脉中的管腔狭窄和钙化斑块，但识别非钙化斑块成分仍然很困难。相衬X射线CT成像具有揭示生物软组织内部结构的巨大潜力，因为它对轻元素的敏感性几乎比吸收衬X射线成像高1000倍。此外，可以使用相差 X 射线 CT 来估计组织的特定质量密度。使用同步辐射源（SPring-8，日本）进行离体相差 X 射线 CT 来研究载脂蛋白 E 缺陷小鼠的动脉粥样硬化斑块成分。还对样品进行组织学分析。空间分辨率为10-20μm的相差X射线CT很容易显示动脉粥样硬化斑块成分，并检测到薄纤维帽。定量估计了这些斑块成分的具体质量密度。脂质区域的质量密度(1.011+/-0.001766g/ml)显着低于平滑肌区域或胶原区域的质量密度(分别为1.057+/-0.001407和1.080+/-0.001794g/ml)。此外，斑块的三维评估可以提供其解剖信息。相差X射线CT可以估计动脉粥样硬化斑块的组织质量密度并检测富含脂质的区域。它可能是一种有前途的无创技术，用于研究斑块成分和检测不稳定的冠状动脉斑块。
Reliable, non-invasive imaging modalities to characterize plaque components are clinically desirable for detecting unstable coronary plaques, which cause acute coronary syndrome. Although recent clinical developments in computed tomography (CT) have enabled the visualization of luminal narrowing and calcified plaques in coronary arteries, the identification of noncalcified plaque components remains difficult. Phase-contrast X-ray CT imaging has great potentials to reveal the structures inside biological soft tissues, because its sensitivity to light elements is almost 1,000 times greater than that of absorption-contrast X-ray imaging. Moreover, a specific mass density of tissue can be estimated using phase-contrast X-ray CT. Ex vivo phase-contrast X-ray CT was performed using a synchrotron radiation source (SPring-8, Japan) to investigate atherosclerotic plaque components of apolipoprotein E-deficient mice. Samples were also histologically analyzed. Phase-contrast X-ray CT at a spatial resolution of 10-20 mu m revealed atherosclerotic plaque components easily, and thin fibrous caps were detected. The specific mass densities of these plaque components were quantitatively estimated. The mass density of lipid area was significantly lower (1.011 +/- 0.001766 g/ml) than that of smooth muscle area or collagen area (1.057 +/- 0.001407 and 1.080 +/- 0.001794 g/ml, respectively). Moreover, the three-dimensional assessment of plaques could provide their anatomical information. Phase-contrast X-ray CT can estimate the tissue mass density of atherosclerotic plaques and detect lipid-rich areas. It can be a promising noninvasive technique for the investigation of plaque components and detection of unstable coronary plaques.