Integrating X-ray phase-contrast imaging and histology for comparative evaluation of breast tissue malignancies in virtual histology analysis
Abstract Detecting breast tissue alterations is essential for cancer diagnosis. However, inherent bidimensionality limits histological procedures’ effectiveness in identifying these changes. Our study applies a 3D virtual histology method based on X-ray phase-contrast microtomography (PhC $$\mu$$ μ...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2024-03-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-56341-6 |
| _version_ | 1797266853791268864 |
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| author | Sandro Donato Lucia Mariel Arana Peña Fulvia Arfelli Luca Brombal Luisella Colmo Renata Longo Fulvia Martellani Giuliana Tromba Fabrizio Zanconati Deborah Bonazza |
| author_facet | Sandro Donato Lucia Mariel Arana Peña Fulvia Arfelli Luca Brombal Luisella Colmo Renata Longo Fulvia Martellani Giuliana Tromba Fabrizio Zanconati Deborah Bonazza |
| author_sort | Sandro Donato |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Detecting breast tissue alterations is essential for cancer diagnosis. However, inherent bidimensionality limits histological procedures’ effectiveness in identifying these changes. Our study applies a 3D virtual histology method based on X-ray phase-contrast microtomography (PhC $$\mu$$ μ CT), performed at a synchrotron facility, to investigate breast tissue samples including different types of lesions, namely intraductal papilloma, micropapillary intracystic carcinoma, and invasive lobular carcinoma. One-to-one comparisons of X-ray and histological images explore the clinical potential of 3D X-ray virtual histology. Results show that PhC $$\mu$$ μ CT technique provides high spatial resolution and soft tissue sensitivity, while being non-destructive, not requiring a dedicated sample processing and being compatible with conventional histology. PhC $$\mu$$ μ CT can enhance the visualization of morphological characteristics such as stromal tissue, fibrovascular core, terminal duct lobular unit, stromal/epithelium interface, basement membrane, and adipocytes. Despite not reaching the (sub) cellular level, the three-dimensionality of PhC $$\mu$$ μ CT images allows to depict in-depth alterations of the breast tissues, potentially revealing pathologically relevant details missed by a single histological section. Compared to serial sectioning, PhC $$\mu$$ μ CT allows the virtual investigation of the sample volume along any orientation, possibly guiding the pathologist in the choice of the most suitable cutting plane. Overall, PhC $$\mu$$ μ CT virtual histology holds great promise as a tool adding to conventional histology for improving efficiency, accessibility, and diagnostic accuracy of pathological evaluation. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-25T01:07:18Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-97dff5b4ce4b43df85315b4c8289b77b |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-25T01:07:18Z |
| publishDate | 2024-03-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj.art-97dff5b4ce4b43df85315b4c8289b77b2024-03-10T12:10:25ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222024-03-0114111310.1038/s41598-024-56341-6Integrating X-ray phase-contrast imaging and histology for comparative evaluation of breast tissue malignancies in virtual histology analysisSandro Donato0Lucia Mariel Arana Peña1Fulvia Arfelli2Luca Brombal3Luisella Colmo4Renata Longo5Fulvia Martellani6Giuliana Tromba7Fabrizio Zanconati8Deborah Bonazza9Department of Physics, University of CalabriaDepartment of Physics, University of TriesteDepartment of Physics, University of TriesteDepartment of Physics, University of TriesteUnit of Surgical Pathology of the Cattinara Hospital, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliana Isontina (ASUGI)Department of Physics, University of TriesteUnit of Surgical Pathology of the Cattinara Hospital, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliana Isontina (ASUGI)Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.AUnit of Surgical Pathology of the Cattinara Hospital, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliana Isontina (ASUGI)Unit of Surgical Pathology of the Cattinara Hospital, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliana Isontina (ASUGI)Abstract Detecting breast tissue alterations is essential for cancer diagnosis. However, inherent bidimensionality limits histological procedures’ effectiveness in identifying these changes. Our study applies a 3D virtual histology method based on X-ray phase-contrast microtomography (PhC $$\mu$$ μ CT), performed at a synchrotron facility, to investigate breast tissue samples including different types of lesions, namely intraductal papilloma, micropapillary intracystic carcinoma, and invasive lobular carcinoma. One-to-one comparisons of X-ray and histological images explore the clinical potential of 3D X-ray virtual histology. Results show that PhC $$\mu$$ μ CT technique provides high spatial resolution and soft tissue sensitivity, while being non-destructive, not requiring a dedicated sample processing and being compatible with conventional histology. PhC $$\mu$$ μ CT can enhance the visualization of morphological characteristics such as stromal tissue, fibrovascular core, terminal duct lobular unit, stromal/epithelium interface, basement membrane, and adipocytes. Despite not reaching the (sub) cellular level, the three-dimensionality of PhC $$\mu$$ μ CT images allows to depict in-depth alterations of the breast tissues, potentially revealing pathologically relevant details missed by a single histological section. Compared to serial sectioning, PhC $$\mu$$ μ CT allows the virtual investigation of the sample volume along any orientation, possibly guiding the pathologist in the choice of the most suitable cutting plane. Overall, PhC $$\mu$$ μ CT virtual histology holds great promise as a tool adding to conventional histology for improving efficiency, accessibility, and diagnostic accuracy of pathological evaluation.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-56341-6 |
| spellingShingle | Sandro Donato Lucia Mariel Arana Peña Fulvia Arfelli Luca Brombal Luisella Colmo Renata Longo Fulvia Martellani Giuliana Tromba Fabrizio Zanconati Deborah Bonazza Integrating X-ray phase-contrast imaging and histology for comparative evaluation of breast tissue malignancies in virtual histology analysis Scientific Reports |
| title | Integrating X-ray phase-contrast imaging and histology for comparative evaluation of breast tissue malignancies in virtual histology analysis |
| title_full | Integrating X-ray phase-contrast imaging and histology for comparative evaluation of breast tissue malignancies in virtual histology analysis |
| title_fullStr | Integrating X-ray phase-contrast imaging and histology for comparative evaluation of breast tissue malignancies in virtual histology analysis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Integrating X-ray phase-contrast imaging and histology for comparative evaluation of breast tissue malignancies in virtual histology analysis |
| title_short | Integrating X-ray phase-contrast imaging and histology for comparative evaluation of breast tissue malignancies in virtual histology analysis |
| title_sort | integrating x ray phase contrast imaging and histology for comparative evaluation of breast tissue malignancies in virtual histology analysis |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-56341-6 |
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