Elemental analysis of biological matrices using tomographic techniques

Gamma-ray transmission tomography and neutron induced gamma-ray emission tomography (NIGET) where delayed gamma-rays from an activated sample are detected in a tomographic mode, were used to investigate the elemental composition and distribution of a salivary gland stone, nondestructively. Transmission tomography provided information about the distribution of the linear photon attenuation coefficient in the object and showed clearly the two regions of inorganic and organic material in a number of sections through it. In addition it was possible to derive from the data the concentration of Ca and the ratio of Ca to P in the stone. By using NIGET it was shown that the concentration of Ca and Na in the object can be mapped and quantitative measurements of these elements could be obtained in any particular location within the salivary gland stone. The spatial resolution which depends on detector collimation was 1 mm for transimission and 2 mm for emission measurements. Instrumental neutron activation analysis was also used to determine the concentration of five elements in the stone, as a whole.