A Method for Delineation of Bone Surfaces in Photoacoustic Computed Tomography of the Finger. (January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Biswas, S. K.; van Es, P.; Steenbergen, W.; Manohar, S.
• Other Names: Wang Xueding guest-editor.
• Is Part Of: Ultrasonic imaging. Volume 38:Number 1(2016)
• Page Start: 63
• Page End: 76
• Publication Date: 2016-01
• Subjects: photoacoustic tomography -- photoacoustically induced ultrasound -- bone delineation -- finger; Diagnostic ultrasonic imaging -- Methodology -- Periodicals; Ultrasonic testing -- Periodicals; Ultrasonic imaging -- Periodicals; Ultrasonography -- Periodicals; Échographie -- Méthodologie -- Périodiques; Essais par ultrasons -- Périodiques; Imagerie ultrasonore -- Périodiques; 616.07543
• DOI: 10.1177/0161734615589288
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0161-7346

Abstract

Photoacoustic (PA) imaging of interphalangeal peripheral joints is of interest in the context of using the synovial membrane as a surrogate marker of rheumatoid arthritis. Previous work has shown that ultrasound (US) produced by absorption of light at the epidermis reflects on the bone surfaces within the finger. When the reflected signals are backprojected in the region of interest, artifacts are produced, confounding interpretation of the images. In this work, we present an approach where the PA signals known to originate from the epidermis are treated as virtual US transmitters, and a separate reconstruction is performed as in US reflection imaging. This allows us to identify the bone surfaces. Furthermore, the identification of the joint space is important as this provides a landmark to localize a region-of-interest in seeking the inflamed synovial membrane. The ability to delineate bone surfaces allows us to identify not only the artifacts but also the interphalangeal joint space without recourse to new US hardware or a new measurement. We test the approach on phantoms and on a healthy human finger.