Info
Talk Title:
Beyond Black and White: The Color Future of X-ray Imaging

Talk Summary:
In recent decades, computed tomography (CT) has become an indispensable tool in modern medicine, revolutionizing how we diagnose and treat a vast array of medical conditions. CT ability to provide detailed cross-sectional images of the human body has profoundly enhanced the precision, speed, and reliability of medical diagnostics. Today, approximately 375 million CT scans are performed annually worldwide—a number that continues to rise by 3–4% each year. This exponential growth underscores the critical role of CT technology in patient care, from routine diagnostics to life-saving interventions. The global computed tomography (CT) scanners market size is projected to grow from $7.5 billion in 2024 to $12 billion by 2032, at an annual growth of over 6%.

Spectral Dual Energy and Spectral Photon-Counting Computed Tomography (SPCCT) represent the latest frontier in this transformative journey. Building on the foundational principles of CT, Spectral CT offer unprecedented capabilities by harnessing photon counting detectors to differentiate X-ray photons by their energy levels. These innovation enable detailed tissue characterization, precise imaging of contrast agents, and the potential for reducing radiation dose, marking a paradigm shift in diagnostic imaging.

Presenter Biography:
Salim Aymeric Si-Mohamed, MD, PhD, is a full professor in medical imaging at the University Claude Bernard Lyon 1 and head of the Cardiovascular and Thoracic Imaging Department at Louis Pradel Hospital in Lyon. Specializing in diagnostic and interventional imaging for cardiovascular and thoracic diseases, he primarily works with cutting-edge CT technology. Dr. Si-Mohamed’s experimental research focuses on the development of spectral CT technology, including spectral photon-counting CT and dual-energy CT systems, integrated with novel contrast agents for cardiovascular and thoracic applications. He earned his MD in 2016 and completed his PhD in 2020, with his doctoral research dedicated to the cardiovascular applications of spectral photon-counting CT technology. His groundbreaking work demonstrated the feasibility of color K-edge imaging for cardiovascular imaging, particularly in studying atherosclerosis. Dr. Si-Mohamed is an active member of several national and international research consortia, fostering multidisciplinary collaborations among academic, university, and industry partners. He has authored over 150 publications in leading international journals and conferences, focusing on both experimental and clinical spectral CT imaging. Dr. Si-Mohamed teaches the principles, techniques, and applications of spectral CT, mentoring MSc and PhD students. He is also the holder of an international patent. Recently he was awarded an ERC Starting Grant for the KOLOR SPCCT Imaging Project and an ERC Proof-of-concept Grant for the developement of a KOLOR Viewer, aimed at advancing comprehensive, one-breath-hold imaging of lung diseases using color K-edge imaging and dedicated contrast agents.

Author
Salim Aymeric Si-Mohamed, MD; PhD
Claude Bernard University Lyon 1