New X-ray Technology for Improved Detection of Lung Diseases in the Developing World

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Sam Richard, PhD, Senior Research Scientist, Carestream

“People are dying in the developing world from disease that can be diagnosed with advanced imaging technology available in the developed world,” said Dr. Narinder Paul from University Health Network, Toronto, Canada.

Not everyone has access to advanced imaging technologies such as CT scanners. Therefore, in an effort to provide an alternative, a collaborative project between UHN and Carestream will investigate the potential for a simpler and cheaper technology called tomosynthesis.

Tomosynthesis enables the reconstruction of multiple planes though the patient via the acquisition of multiple projection X-rays acquired at different angles around the patient. The projections are reconstructed to allow the user to “focus” at different depth into the patient enabling depth discrimination – similar to CT imaging.  This can help radiologists make diagnoses that aren’t possible with traditional radiography.

In addition, the project will also explore the use of dual-energy X-ray imaging, which is a technique where two X-ray images acquired at different energies (kVp) are combined to generate separate soft-tissue and bone images. This enables improved characterization of soft tissues and conspicuity of pathologies.

This research project is expected to also have an impact on patient care in the developed world. The optimization of tomosynthesis and dual-energy imaging within the context of this project may provide a cheaper and lower dose alternative to CT imaging, thereby offering the potential for reduced patient care cost and lower doses to the patient population. Furthermore, tomosynthesis and dual-energy exams can be performed within a standard radiography room (with the addition of some hardware) which is expected to alleviate the demand for CT exams.

You can view more about the project here. If you wish to show your support, you can click on that link and “Like” the video when you arrive on the page. The more “Likes” a video receive does not guarantee a selection by the Stars in Global Health’s Peer Review Committee, but it is factored into the decision-making process. The UHN video, and all other videos in the initiative will be viewable until May 31, 2013.