A method for selective tissue and bone visualization using dual energy scanned projection radiography

Journal Article · · Med. Phys.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1118/1.594957· OSTI ID:5336418

Brody, W R; Butt, G; Hall, A; Macovski, A

Information contained in the x-ray energy spectrum can be used to produce selective radiographic images of bone or soft tissue. A method has been devised to separate bone and soft tissue based upon differences in photoelectric absorption and Compton scattering using an appropriate combination of images obtained with radiographic exposures at 70 KVP and 140 KVP. Since photoelectric absorption is highly dependent upon atomic number, high atomic number materials such as calcium can be easily separated from water density substances. Using a prototype system for line-scanned radiography, selective subtraction of bone or soft-tissue has been implemented. Because this method uses a conventional broad-spectrum x-ray source, it was necessary to develop a nonlinear polynomial approximation to estimate tissue and bone thickness. The model was verified with phantom studies using water and aluminum. The application of this dual-energy bone and soft-tissue separation to chest radiography is demonstrated. This method allows accurate estimation of tissue and bone thickness and should find application to chest radiography for improved lesion detection and for bone mineral assessment.

• Research Organization: Department of Radiology and Electrical Engineering, Stanford University School of Medicine, California
• OSTI ID: 5336418
• Journal Information: Med. Phys.; (United States), Journal Name: Med. Phys.; (United States) Vol. 8:3; ISSN MPHYA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550602* -- Medicine-- External Radiation in Diagnostics-- (1980-)
61 RADIATION PROTECTION AND DOSIMETRY
62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
655003 -- Medical Physics-- Dosimetry
BASIC INTERACTIONS
BIOMEDICAL RADIOGRAPHY
BODY
BODY AREAS
CHEST
COMPTON EFFECT
DIAGNOSTIC TECHNIQUES
ELASTIC SCATTERING
ELECTROMAGNETIC INTERACTIONS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
EQUIPMENT
IMAGES
INTERACTIONS
IONIZING RADIATIONS
MEDICINE
MOCKUP
NUCLEAR MEDICINE
ORGANS
PHANTOMS
RADIATION SOURCES
RADIATIONS
RADIOLOGY
SCATTERING
SKELETON
STRUCTURAL MODELS
X RADIATION
X-RAY EQUIPMENT
X-RAY SOURCES