Cellular-resolution 3D virtual histology of human coronary arteries using x-ray phase tomography

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging
• Pathology
• Cardiovascular Research

Background:

• Classical histology of coronary arteries is crucial for understanding heart disease but is destructive, time-consuming, and requires extensive preparation.
• X-ray micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) offers fast, non-destructive 3D imaging but often lacks sufficient contrast for soft tissues at high resolution.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate the capability of propagation-based x-ray phase-contrast tomography for high-resolution imaging of coronary artery autopsy samples.
• To overcome the contrast limitations of conventional x-ray methods for visualizing soft-tissue features in cardiovascular pathology.

Main Methods:

• Utilized propagation-based x-ray phase-contrast tomography with a laboratory microfocus x-ray source.
• Applied the technique to intact coronary artery autopsy samples, requiring no sample preparation.
• Achieved high-spatial resolution in all three dimensions with fast data acquisition.

Main Results:

• Successfully imaged clinically relevant soft-tissue features in coronary arteries with cellular resolution.
• Observed microscopic lipid-rich plaques, individual adipose cells, small groups of foam cells, and thin fibrous caps.
• Demonstrated minimal sample distortion and no need for sample preparation.

Conclusions:

• Propagation-based x-ray phase-contrast tomography provides unprecedented resolution and contrast for non-destructive 3D imaging of coronary artery pathology.
• This method significantly advances the study of heart disease by enabling detailed visualization of microscopic features in intact autopsy samples.
• The technique offers a faster, less destructive alternative to traditional histology for cardiovascular research.