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Review
. 2000 Jan-Apr;2(1-2):62-70.
doi: 10.1038/sj.neo.7900069.

High resolution X-ray computed tomography: an emerging tool for small animal cancer research

M J Paulus  1 , S S Gleason, S J Kennel, P R Hunsicker, D K Johnson
Affiliations
Review

High resolution X-ray computed tomography: an emerging tool for small animal cancer research

M J Paulus et al. Neoplasia. 2000 Jan-Apr.

Abstract

Dedicated high-resolution small animal imaging systems have recently emerged as important new tools for cancer research. These new imaging systems permit researchers to noninvasively screen animals for mutations or pathologies and to monitor disease progression and response to therapy. One imaging modality, X-ray microcomputed tomography (microCT) shows promise as a cost-effective means for detecting and characterizing soft-tissue structures, skeletal abnormalities, and tumors in live animals. MicroCT systems provide high-resolution images (typically 50 microns or less), rapid data acquisition (typically 5 to 30 minutes), excellent sensitivity to skeletal tissue and good sensitivity to soft tissue, particularly when contrast-enhancing media are employed. The development of microCT technology for small animal imaging is reviewed, and key considerations for designing small animal microCT imaging protocols are summarized. Recent studies on mouse prostate, lung and bone tumor models are overviewed.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Schematic diagram of a typical microCT system with fixed source and detector and rotating stage.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Schematic diagram of a typical early microCT source/detector configuration.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Calculated contrast resolution as a function of monoenergetic X-ray energy for water phantoms with a range of diameters.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Schematic diagram of the Fourier Slice Theorem showing the relationship between projection data and Fourier domain image data.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Kidney scan of an adult mouse acquired using 250 ml i.p. injected Nycomed Omnipaque 300 contrast media to enhance the CT Numbers of the kidneys and peritoneal fluids.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Pelvic microCT scan of a TRAMP model showing (A) prostate tumors, (B) bone, (C) muscle, (D) bladder (opacified by contrast media uptake), and (E) fat.
Figure 7
Figure 7
MicroCT lung scans of (a) living and (b) euthanized BALB/c mouse seeded with EMT-6 lung tumors.
Figure 8
Figure 8
MicroCT scans of the ORNL 2Acr(e) mutant mouse exhibiting a large bone tumor at the base of the skull.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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