Material Analysis with Spectral Computed Tomography: X-Ray Attenuation Decomposition (XAD) Imaging

With conventional Computed Tomography (CCT) the total x-ray attenuation for a whole x-ray spectrum is used for medical diagnosis of anatomically visible pathologies. Spectral Computed Tomography (SCT) is an extension of CCT which allows for the separation of two distinct processes of x-ray attenuation in tissues. These pairs of attenuation contributions are material-specific, enabling quantification of in vivo tissue composition. The combination of anatomical detail and pathological tissue composition has great potential for improved medical diagnosis. We developed a tool called X-Ray Attenuation Decomposition (XAD) to make use of that potential, providing an interactive display of material contents superimposed on anatomical information. XAD intuitively displays and quantifies the material contents of biological tissues and integrates it into the conventional, anatomical visualization of CT images.