3D virtual histopathology of human breast tissues using an X-ray grating interferometry micro CT system

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging
• Radiology
• Pathology

Background:

• Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women globally.
• Conventional diagnosis relies on histopathology of excised tissue.
• Preoperative systemic therapies or surgical excision decisions depend on these evaluations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore X-ray grating-interferometry (GI)-based micro-computed tomography (μCT) as a virtual complementary tool to histopathology.
• To assess the diagnostic concordance between GI-based μCT and conventional histopathology.
• To evaluate the potential of GI-based μCT in breast cancer diagnostics.

Main Methods:

• Small residual mastectomy specimens (up to 2 cm) from 20 formalin-fixed samples were imaged using GI-based μCT.
• Subsequent routine histology processing was performed on the same samples.
• Diagnostic concordance was established by an expert pathologist and radiologist.

Main Results:

• GI-based μCT successfully differentiated neoplastic from benign findings using morphology and contrast.
• The 3D volumetric data provided valuable spatial context, despite lacking cellular resolution.
• Reduced acquisition time (4.4 h vs. 13.4 h) showed negligible impact on diagnostic image quality.

Conclusions:

• GI-based μCT shows strong potential as an adjunct to histopathology for breast cancer diagnostics.
• It offers high-quality soft-tissue contrast and aids in identifying regions of interest.
• Further clinical evaluation is needed to confirm the utility of GI-based μCT diagnostics, especially for smaller samples.