4-D Micro-CT of the Mouse Heart

Contrast enhanced micro-computed tomography resolves the 3-dimensional morphology of the cardiac conduction system in mammalian hearts

The general anatomy of the cardiac conduction system (CCS) has been known for 100 years, but its complex and irregular three-dimensional (3D) geometry is not so well understood. This is largely because the conducting tissue is not distinct from the surrounding tissue by dissection. The best descriptions of its anatomy come from studies based on serial sectioning of samples taken from the appropriate areas of the heart. Low X-ray attenuation has formerly ruled out micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) as a modality to resolve internal structures of soft tissue, but incorporation of iodine, which has a high molecular weight, into those tissues enhances the differential attenuation of X-rays and allows visualisation of fine detail in embryos and skeletal muscle. Here, with the use of a iodine based contrast agent (I₂KI), we present contrast enhanced micro-CT images of cardiac tissue from rat and rabbit in which the three major subdivisions of the CCS can be differentiated from the surrounding contractile myocardium and visualised in 3D. Structures identified include the sinoatrial node (SAN) and the atrioventricular conduction axis: the penetrating bundle, His bundle, the bundle branches and the Purkinje network. Although the current findings are consistent with existing anatomical representations, the representations shown here offer superior resolution and are the first 3D representations of the CCS within a single intact mammalian heart.

4D micro-CT using fast prospective gating

Micro-CT is currently used in preclinical studies to provide anatomical information. But, there is also significant interest in using this technology to obtain functional information. We report here a new sampling strategy for 4D micro-CT for functional cardiac and pulmonary imaging. Rapid scanning of free-breathing mice is achieved with fast prospective gating (FPG) implemented on a field programmable gate array. The method entails on-the-fly computation of delays from the R peaks of the ECG signals or the peaks of the respiratory signals for the triggering pulses. Projection images are acquired for all cardiac or respiratory phases at each angle before rotating to the next angle. FPG can deliver the faster scan time of retrospective gating (RG) with the regular angular distribution of conventional prospective gating for cardiac or respiratory gating. Simultaneous cardio-respiratory gating is also possible with FPG in a hybrid retrospective/prospective approach. We have performed phantom experiments to validate the new sampling protocol and compared the results from FPG and RG in cardiac imaging of a mouse. Additionally, we have evaluated the utility of incorporating respiratory information in 4D cardiac micro-CT studies with FPG. A dual-source micro-CT system was used for image acquisition with pulsed x-ray exposures (80 kVp, 100 mA, 10 ms). The cardiac micro-CT protocol involves the use of a liposomal blood pool contrast agent containing 123 mg I ml(-1) delivered via a tail vein catheter in a dose of 0.01 ml g(-1) body weight. The phantom experiment demonstrates that FPG can distinguish the successive phases of phantom motion with minimal motion blur, and the animal study demonstrates that respiratory FPG can distinguish inspiration and expiration. 4D cardiac micro-CT imaging with FPG provides image quality superior to RG at an isotropic voxel size of 88 μm and 10 ms temporal resolution. The acquisition time for either sampling approach is less than 5 min. The radiation dose associated with the proposed method is in the range of a typical micro-CT dose (256 mGy for the cardiac study). Ignoring respiration does not significantly affect anatomic information in cardiac studies. FPG can deliver short scan times with low-dose 4D micro-CT imaging without sacrificing image quality. FPG can be applied in high-throughput longitudinal studies in a wide range of applications, including drug safety and cardiopulmonary phenotyping.

Advances in microscopy and complementary imaging techniques to assess the fate of drugs ex vivo in respiratory drug delivery: an invited paper

The technical advances in microscopy imaging techniques have been applied to assess the fate of drugs for researching respiratory drug delivery in ex vivo and in vivo experiments. Recent developments in optical imaging (confocal microscopy, multi-photon microscopy, fluorescence imaging (FLI) and bioluminescence imaging (BLI)), and in non-optical imaging (magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computing tomography (CT), positron-emission tomography (PET) and single-photon-emission computed tomography (SPECT)) are presented with their derivative medical devices. Novel microscopy have been utilized to address many biological questions in basic research and are becoming powerful clinical tools for non-invasive objective diagnosis, guided treatment, and monitoring therapies. The goal of this paper is to present recent advances in microscopy imaging techniques and to discuss their novel applications in respiratory drug delivery imaging.

INTERCOMPARISON OF PERFORMANCE OF RF COIL GEOMETRIES FOR HIGH FIELD MOUSE CARDIAC MRI

Multi-turn spiral surface coils are constructed in flat and cylindrical arrangements and used for high field (7.1 T) mouse cardiac MRI. Their electrical and imaging performances, based on experimental measurements, simulations, and MRI experiments in free space, and under phantom, and animal loading conditions, are compared with a commercially available birdcage coil. Results show that the four-turn cylindrical spiral coil exhibits improved relative SNR (rSNR) performance to the flat coil counterpart, and compares fairly well with a commercially available birdcage coil. Phantom experiments indicate a 50% improvement in the SNR for penetration depths ≤ 6.1 mm from the coil surface compared to the birdcage coil, and an increased penetration depth at the half-maximum field response of 8 mm in the 4-spiral cylindrical coil case, in contrast to 2.9 mm in the flat 4-turn spiral case. Quantitative comparison of the performance of the two spiral coil geometries in anterior, lateral, inferior, and septal regions of the murine heart yield maximum mean percentage rSNR increases of the order of 27-167% in vivo post-mortem (cylindrical compared to flat coil). The commercially available birdcage outperforms the cylindrical spiral coil in rSNR by a factor of 3-5 times. The comprehensive approach and methodology adopted to accurately design, simulate, implement, and test radiofrequency coils of any geometry and type, under any loading conditions, can be generalized for any application of high field mouse cardiac MRI.

Morphological studies of the murine heart based on probabilistic and statistical atlases

This study directly compares morphological features of the mouse heart in its end-relaxed state based on constructed morphometric maps and atlases using principal component analysis in C57BL/6J (n=8) and DBA (n=5) mice. In probabilistic atlases, a gradient probability exists for both strains in longitudinal locations from base to apex. Based on the statistical atlases, differences in size (49.8%), apical direction (15.6%), basal ventricular blood pool size (13.2%), and papillary muscle shape and position (17.2%) account for the most significant modes of shape variability for the left ventricle of the C57BL/6J mice. For DBA mice, differences in left ventricular size and direction (67.4%), basal size (15.7%), and position of papillary muscles (16.8%) account for significant variability.

Low-dose cardio-respiratory phase-correlated cone-beam micro-CT of small animals

PURPOSE

Micro-CT imaging of animal hearts typically requires a double gating procedure because scans during a breath-hold are not possible due to the long scan times and the high respiratory rates, Simultaneous respiratory and cardiac gating can either be done prospectively or retrospectively. True five-dimensional information can be either retrieved with retrospective gating or with prospective gating if several prospective gates are acquired. In any case, the amount of information available to reconstruct one volume for a given respiratory and cardiac phase is orders of magnitud lower than the total amount of information acquired. For example, the reconstruction of a volume from a 10% wide respiratory and a 20% wide cardiac window uses only 2% of the data acquired. Achieving a similar image quality as a nongated scan would therefore require to increase the amount of data and thereby the dose to the animal by up to a factor of 50.

METHODS

To achieve the goal of low-dose phase-correlated (LDPC) imaging, the authors propose to use a highly efficient combination of slightly modified existing algorithms. In particular, the authors developed a variant of the McKinnon-Bates image reconstruction algorithm and combined it with bilateral filtering in up to five dimensions to significantly reduce image noise without impairing spatial or temporal resolution.

RESULTS

The preliminary results indicate that the proposed LDPC reconstruction method typically reduces image noise by a factor of up to 6 (e.g., from 170 to 30 HU), while the dose values lie in a range from 60 to 500 mGy. Compared to other publications that apply 250-1800 mGy for the same task [C. T. Badea et al., "4D micro-CT of the mouse heart," Mol. Imaging 4(2), 110-116 (2005); M. Drangova et al., "Fast retrospectively gated quantitative four-dimensional (4D) cardiac micro computed tomography imaging of free-breathing mice," Invest. Radiol. 42(2), 85-94 (2007); S. H. Bartling et al., "Retrospective motion gating in small animal CT of mice and rats," Invest. Radiol. 42(10), 704-714 (2007)], the authors' LDPC approach therefore achieves a more than tenfold dose usage improvement.

CONCLUSIONS

The LDPC reconstruction method improves phase-correlated imaging from highly undersampled data. Artifacts caused by sparse angular sampling are removed and the image noise is decreased, while spatial and temporal resolution are preserved. Thus, the administered dose per animal can be decreased allowing for long-term studies with reduced metabolic inference.

4D micro-CT for cardiac and perfusion applications with view under sampling

Micro-CT is commonly used in preclinical studies to provide anatomical information. There is growing interest in obtaining functional measurements from 4D micro-CT. We report here strategies for 4D micro-CT with a focus on two applications: (i) cardiac imaging based on retrospective gating and (ii) pulmonary perfusion using multiple contrast injections/rotations paradigm. A dual source micro-CT system is used for image acquisition with a sampling rate of 20 projections per second. The cardiac micro-CT protocol involves the use of a liposomal blood pool contrast agent. Fast scanning of free breathing mice is achieved using retrospective gating. The ECG and respiratory signals are used to sort projections into ten cardiac phases. The pulmonary perfusion protocol uses a conventional contrast agent (Isovue 370) delivered by a micro-injector in four injections separated by 2 min intervals to allow for clearance. Each injection is synchronized with the rotation of the animal, and each of the four rotations is started with an angular offset of 22.5 from the starting angle of the previous rotation. Both cardiac and perfusion protocols result in an irregular angular distribution of projections that causes significant streaking artifacts in reconstructions when using traditional filtered backprojection (FBP) algorithms. The reconstruction involves the use of the point spread function of the micro-CT system for each time point, and the analysis of the distribution of the reconstructed data in the Fourier domain. This enables us to correct for angular inconsistencies via deconvolution and identify regions where data is missing. The missing regions are filled with data from a high quality but temporally averaged prior image reconstructed with all available projections. Simulations indicate that deconvolution successfully removes the streaking artifacts while preserving temporal information. 4D cardiac micro-CT in a mouse was performed with adequate image quality at isotropic voxel size of 88 µm and 10 ms temporal resolution. 4D pulmonary perfusion images were obtained in a mouse at 176 µm and 687 ms temporal resolution. Compared with FBP reconstruction, the streak reduction ratio is 70% and the contrast to noise ratio is 2.5 times greater in the deconvolved images. The radiation dose associated with the proposed methods is in the range of a typical micro-CT dose (0.17 Gy for the cardiac study and 0.21 Gy for the perfusion study). The low dose 4D micro-CT imaging presented here can be applied in high-throughput longitudinal studies in a wide range of applications, including drug safety and cardiopulmonary phenotyping.

High-resolution X-ray microtomography for three-dimensional imaging of cardiac progenitor cell homing in infarcted rat hearts

The recent introduction of stem cells in cardiology provides new tools in understanding the regenerative processes of the normal and pathological heart and has opened a search for new therapeutic strategies. Recent published reports have contributed to identifying possible cellular therapy approaches to generate new myocardium, involving transcoronary and intramyocardial injection of progenitor cells. However, one of the limiting factors in the overall interpretation of clinical results obtained by cell therapy is represented by the lack of three-dimensional (3D) high-resolution methods for the visualization of the injected cells and their fate within the myocardium. This work shows that X-ray computed microtomography may offer the unique possibility of detecting, with high definition and resolution and in ex vivo conditions, the 3D spatial distribution of rat cardiac progenitor cells, labelled with iron oxide nanoparticles, inside the infarcted rat heart early after injection. The obtained 3D images represent a very innovative progress as compared to experimental two-dimensional (2D) histological analysis, which requires time-consuming energies for image reconstruction in order to provide the overall distribution of rat clonogenic cells within the heart. Through microtomography, we were able to observe in 3D the presence of these cells within damaged cardiac tissue, with important structural details that are difficult to visualize by conventional bidimensional imaging techniques. This new 3D-imaging approach appears to be an important way to investigate the cellular events involved in cardiac regeneration and represents a promising tool for future clinical applications.

Micro-CT imaging assessment of dobutamine-induced cardiac stress in rats

INTRODUCTION

Dobutamine (DOB) stress in animal models of heart disease has been imaged so far using echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging. The purpose of this study was to assess normal response to DOB stress in rats using anatomical and functional data using micro-computed tomography (CT).

METHODS

Ten normal adult male rats were first injected with a liposomal-based blood pool contrast agent and next infused with DOB via a tail vein catheter. Using prospective gating, 5 pairs of systole/diastole micro-CT images were acquired (a) pre-infusion baseline; (b) at heart rate plateau during infusion of 10 μg/kg/min DOB; (c) at post-DOB infusion baseline; (d) at heart rate plateau during infusion of 30 μg/kg/min DOB; and (e) after post-infusion return to baseline. Heart rate, peripheral and breathing distensions were monitored by oximetry. Micro-CT images with 88-μm isotropic voxels were segmented to obtain cardiac function based on volumetric measurements of the left ventricle.

RESULTS

DOB stress increased heart rate and cardiac output with both doses. Ejection fraction increased above baseline by an average of 35.9% with the first DOB dose and 18.4% with the second dose. No change was observed in the relative peripheral arterial pressures associated with the significant increases in cardiac output.

DISCUSSION

Micro-CT proved to be a robust imaging method able to provide isotropic data on cardiac morphology and function. Micro-CT has the advantage of being faster and more cost-effective than MR and is able to provide higher accuracy than echocardiography. The impact of such an enabling technology can be enormous in evaluating cardiotoxic effects of various test drugs.

Whole animal imaging

Translational research plays a vital role in understanding the underlying pathophysiology of human diseases, and hence development of new diagnostic and therapeutic options for their management. After creating an animal disease model, pathophysiologic changes and effects of a therapeutic intervention on them are often evaluated on the animals using immunohistologic or imaging techniques. In contrast to the immunohistologic techniques, the imaging techniques are noninvasive and hence can be used to investigate the whole animal, oftentimes in a single exam which provides opportunities to perform longitudinal studies and dynamic imaging of the same subject, and hence minimizes the experimental variability, requirement for the number of animals, and the time to perform a given experiment. Whole animal imaging can be performed by a number of techniques including x-ray computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound imaging, positron emission tomography, single photon emission computed tomography, fluorescence imaging, and bioluminescence imaging, among others. Individual imaging techniques provide different kinds of information regarding the structure, metabolism, and physiology of the animal. Each technique has its own strengths and weaknesses, and none serves every purpose of image acquisition from all regions of an animal. In this review, a broad overview of basic principles, available contrast mechanisms, applications, challenges, and future prospects of many imaging techniques employed for whole animal imaging is provided. Our main goal is to briefly describe the current state of art to researchers and advanced students with a strong background in the field of animal research.

Prospective-gated cardiac micro-CT imaging of free-breathing mice using carbon nanotube field emission x-ray

PURPOSE

Carbon nanotube (CNT) based field emission x-ray source technology has recently been investigated for diagnostic imaging applications because of its attractive characteristics including electronic programmability, fast switching, distributed source, and multiplexing. The purpose of this article is to demonstrate the potential of this technology for high-resolution prospective-gated cardiac micro-CT imaging.

METHODS

A dynamic cone-beam micro-CT scanner was constructed using a rotating gantry, a stationary mouse bed, a flat-panel detector, and a sealed CNT based microfocus x-ray source. The compact single-beam CNT x-ray source was operated at 50 KVp and 2 mA anode current with 100 microm x 100 microm effective focal spot size. Using an intravenously administered iodinated blood-pool contrast agent, prospective cardiac and respiratory-gated micro-CT images of beating mouse hearts were obtained from ten anesthetized free-breathing mice in their natural position. Four-dimensional cardiac images were also obtained by gating the image acquisition to different phases in the cardiac cycle.

RESULTS

High-resolution CT images of beating mouse hearts were obtained at 15 ms temporal resolution and 6.2 lp/mm spatial resolution at 10% of system MTF. The images were reconstructed at 76 microm isotropic voxel size. The data acquisition time for two cardiac phases was 44 +/- 9 min. The CT values observed within the ventricles and the ventricle wall were 455 +/- 49 and 120 +/- 48 HU, respectively. The entrance dose for the acquisition of a single phase of the cardiac cycle was 0.10 Gy.

CONCLUSIONS

A high-resolution dynamic micro-CT scanner was developed from a compact CNT microfocus x-ray source and its feasibility for prospective-gated cardiac micro-CT imaging of free-breathing mice under their natural position was demonstrated.

Continuing education course #1: non-invasive imaging as a problem-solving tool and translational biomarker strategy in toxicologic pathology

The continuing education course "Non-Invasive Imaging as a Problem-Solving Tool and Translational Biomarker Strategy in Toxicologic Pathology" provided a thorough overview of commonly used imaging modalities and the logistics required for integration of small animal imaging into toxicologic pathology. Non-invasive imaging (NIN) is gaining acceptance as an important modality in toxicologic pathology. This technology allows nonterminal, time-course evaluation of functional and morphologic endpoints and can be used to translate biomarkers between preclinical animal models and human patients. NIN can support drug development as well as basic research in academic or industrial environments. An initial overview of theoretical principles was followed by focused presentations on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)/magnetic resonance microscopy (MRM), positron emission tomography (PET)/single proton emission computed tomography (SPECT), ultrasonography (US, primarily focused on echocardiography), optical (bioluminescent) imaging, and computed tomography (CT). The choice of imaging modality will depend on the research question and the needed resolution.

Cardiovascular phenotyping of the mouse heart using a 4D radial acquisition and liposomal Gd-DTPA-BMA

MR microscopy has enormous potential for small-animal cardiac imaging because it is capable of producing volumetric images at multiple time points to accurately measure cardiac function. MR has not been used as frequently as ultrasound to measure cardiac function in the small animal because the MR methods required relatively long scan times, limiting throughput. Here, we demonstrate four-dimensional radial acquisition in conjunction with a liposomal blood pool agent to explore functional differences in three populations of mice: six C57BL/6J mice, six DBA/2J mice, and six DBA/2J CSQ+ mice, all with the same gestational age and approximately the same weight. Cardiovascular function was determined by measuring both left ventricular and right ventricular end diastolic volume, end systolic volume, stroke volume, and ejection fraction. Statistical significance was observed in end diastolic volume, end systolic volume, and ejection fraction for left ventricular measurements between all three populations of mice. No statistically significant difference was observed in stroke volume in either the left or right ventricle for any of the three populations of mice. This study shows that MRI is capable of efficient, high-throughput, four-dimensional cardiovascular phenotyping of the mouse.

Fully automated intrinsic respiratory and cardiac gating for small animal CT

A fully automated, intrinsic gating algorithm for small animal cone-beam CT is described and evaluated. A parameter representing the organ motion, derived from the raw projection images, is used for both cardiac and respiratory gating. The proposed algorithm makes it possible to reconstruct motion-corrected still images as well as to generate four-dimensional (4D) datasets representing the cardiac and pulmonary anatomy of free-breathing animals without the use of electrocardiogram (ECG) or respiratory sensors. Variation analysis of projections from several rotations is used to place a region of interest (ROI) on the diaphragm. The ROI is cranially extended to include the heart. The centre of mass (COM) variation within this ROI, the filtered frequency response and the local maxima are used to derive a binary motion-gating parameter for phase-sensitive gated reconstruction. This algorithm was implemented on a flat-panel-based cone-beam CT scanner and evaluated using a moving phantom and animal scans (seven rats and eight mice). Volumes were determined using a semiautomatic segmentation. In all cases robust gating signals could be obtained. The maximum volume error in phantom studies was less than 6%. By utilizing extrinsic gating via externally placed cardiac and respiratory sensors, the functional parameters (e.g. cardiac ejection fraction) and image quality were equivalent to this current gold standard. This algorithm obviates the necessity of both gating hardware and user interaction. The simplicity of the proposed algorithm enables adoption in a wide range of small animal cone-beam CT scanners.

Quantitative blood flow measurements in the small animal cardiopulmonary system using digital subtraction angiography

PURPOSE

The use of preclinical rodent models of disease continues to grow because these models help elucidate pathogenic mechanisms and provide robust test beds for drug development. Among the major anatomic and physiologic indicators of disease progression and genetic or drug modification of responses are measurements of blood vessel caliber and flow. Moreover, cardiopulmonary blood flow is a critical indicator of gas exchange. Current methods of measuring cardiopulmonary blood flow suffer from some or all of the following limitations--they produce relative values, are limited to global measurements, do not provide vasculature visualization, are not able to measure acute changes, are invasive, or require euthanasia.

METHODS

In this study, high-spatial and high-temporal resolution x-ray digital subtraction angiography (DSA) was used to obtain vasculature visualization, quantitative blood flow in absolute metrics (ml/min instead of arbitrary units or velocity), and relative blood volume dynamics from discrete regions of interest on a pixel-by-pixel basis (100 x 100 microm2).

RESULTS

A series of calibrations linked the DSA flow measurements to standard physiological measurement using thermodilution and Fick's method for cardiac output (CO), which in eight anesthetized Fischer-344 rats was found to be 37.0 +/- 5.1 ml/min. Phantom experiments were conducted to calibrate the radiographic density to vessel thickness, allowing a link of DSA cardiac output measurements to cardiopulmonary blood flow measurements in discrete regions of interest. The scaling factor linking relative DSA cardiac output measurements to the Fick's absolute measurements was found to be 18.90 x CODSA = COFick.

CONCLUSIONS

This calibrated DSA approach allows repeated simultaneous visualization of vasculature and measurement of blood flow dynamics on a regional level in the living rat.

Hierarchical microimaging of bone structure and function

With recent advances in molecular medicine and disease treatment in osteoporosis, quantitative image processing of three-dimensional bone structures is critical in the context of bone quality assessment. Biomedical imaging technology such as MRI or CT is readily available, but few attempts have been made to expand the capabilities of these systems by integrating quantitative analysis tools and by exploring structure-function relationships in a hierarchical fashion. Nevertheless, such quantitative end points are an important factor for success in basic research and in the development of novel therapeutic strategies. CT is key to these developments, as it images and quantifies bone in three dimensions and provides multiscale biological imaging capabilities with isotropic resolutions of a few millimeters (clinical CT), a few tens of micrometers (microCT) and even as high as 100 nanometers (nanoCT). The technology enables the assessment of the relationship between microstructural and ultrastructural measures of bone quality and certain diseases or therapies. This Review focuses on presenting strategies for three-dimensional approaches to hierarchical biomechanical imaging in the study of microstructural and ultrastructural bone failure. From this Review, it can be concluded that biomechanical imaging is extremely valuable for the study of bone failure mechanisms at different hierarchical levels.

Microcomputed tomography characterization of neovascularization in bone tissue engineering applications

Vasculogenesis and angiogenesis have been studied for decades using numerous in vitro and in vivo systems, fulfilling the need to elucidate the mechanisms involved in these processes and to test potential therapeutic agents that inhibit or promote neovascularization. Bone tissue engineering in particular has benefited from the application of proangiogenic strategies, considering the need for an adequate vascular supply during healing and the challenges associated with the vascularization of scaffolds implanted in vivo. Conventional methods of assessing the in vivo angiogenic response to tissue-engineered constructs tend to rely on a two-dimensional assessment of microvessel density within representative histological sections without elaboration of the true vascular tree. The introduction of microcomputed tomography (micro-CT) has recently allowed investigators to obtain a diverse range of high-resolution, three-dimensional characterization of structures, including renal, coronary, and hepatic vascular networks, as well as bone formation within healing defects. To date, few studies have utilized micro-CT to study the vascular response to an implanted tissue engineering scaffold. In this paper, conventional in vitro and in vivo models for studying angiogenesis will be discussed, followed by recent developments in the use of micro-CT for vessel imaging in bone tissue engineering research. A new study demonstrating the potential of contrast-enhanced micro-CT for the evaluation of in vivo neovascularization in bony defects is described, which offers significant potential in the evaluation of bone tissue engineering constructs.

In vivo spectral domain optical coherence tomography volumetric imaging and spectral Doppler velocimetry of early stage embryonic chicken heart development

Progress toward understanding embryonic heart development has been hampered by the inability to image embryonic heart structure and simultaneously measure blood flow dynamics in vivo. We have developed a spectral domain optical coherence tomography system for in vivo volumetric imaging of the chicken embryo heart. We have also developed a technique called spectral Doppler velocimetry (SDV) for quantitative measurement of blood flow dynamics. We present in vivo volume images of the embryonic heart from initial tube formation to development of endocardial cushions of the same embryo over several stages of development. SDV measurements reveal the influence of heart tube structure on blood flow dynamics.

Four-dimensional MR microscopy of the mouse heart using radial acquisition and liposomal gadolinium contrast agent

Magnetic resonance microscopy (MRM) has become an important tool for small animal cardiac imaging. In relation to competing technologies (microCT and ultrasound), MR is limited by spatial resolution, temporal resolution, and acquisition time. All three of these limitations have been addressed by developing a four-dimensional (4D) (3D plus time) radial acquisition (RA) sequence. The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) has been optimized by minimizing the echo time (TE) (300 us). The temporal resolution and throughput have been improved by center-out trajectories resulting in repetition time (TR) <2.5 ms. The contrast has been enhanced through the use of a liposomal blood pool agent that reduces the T(1) of the blood to <400 ms. We have developed protocols for three specific applications: 1) high-throughput with spatial resolution of 87 x 87 x 352 um(3) (voxel volume = 2.7 nL) and acquisition time of 16 min; 2) high-temporal resolution with spatial resolution of 87 x 87 x 352 um(3) (voxel volume = 2.7 nL) and temporal resolution at 4.8 ms and acquisition time of 32 minutes; and 3) high-resolution isotropic imaging at 87 x 87 x 87 um(3) (voxel volume = 0.68 nL) and acquisition time of 31 min. The 4D image arrays allow direct measure of cardiac functional parameters dependent on chamber volumes, e.g., ejection fraction (EF), end diastolic volume (EDV), and end systolic volume (ESV).

Assessment of right and left ventricular function in healthy mice by blood-pool pinhole gated SPECT

The feasibility of blood-pool pinhole ECG gated SPECT was investigated in healthy mice to assess right and left ventricular function analysis. Anaesthetized (isoflurane 1-1.5%) adult CD1 mice (n=11) were analyzed after intravenous administration of 0.2 ml of 550 MBq of (99m)Tc human albumin. For blood-pool gated SPECT imaging, 48 ventral step and shoot projections with eight time bins per RR over 180 degrees with 64 x 64 word images were acquired with a small animal gamma camera equipped with a pinhole collimator of 12 cm in focal length and 1.5 mm in diameter. For appropriate segmentation of right and left ventricular volumes, a 4D Fourier analysis was performed after reconstruction and reorientation of blood-pool images with a voxel size of 0.55 x 0.55 x 0.55 mm(3). Average right and left ejection fractions were respectively 52+/-4.7% and 65+/-5.2%. Right end diastolic and end systolic volumes were significantly higher compared with the corresponding left ventricular volumes (P<0.0001 each). A linear correlation between right and left stroke volumes (r=0.9, P<0.0001) was obtained and right and left cardiac outputs were not significantly different 14.2+/-1.9 and 14.1+/-2 ml/min, respectively.

In vivo small-animal imaging using micro-CT and digital subtraction angiography

Small-animal imaging has a critical role in phenotyping, drug discovery and in providing a basic understanding of mechanisms of disease. Translating imaging methods from humans to small animals is not an easy task. The purpose of this work is to review in vivo x-ray based small-animal imaging, with a focus on in vivo micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) and digital subtraction angiography (DSA). We present the principles, technologies, image quality parameters and types of applications. We show that both methods can be used not only to provide morphological, but also functional information, such as cardiac function estimation or perfusion. Compared to other modalities, x-ray based imaging is usually regarded as being able to provide higher throughput at lower cost and adequate resolution. The limitations are usually associated with the relatively poor contrast mechanisms and potential radiation damage due to ionizing radiation, although the use of contrast agents and careful design of studies can address these limitations. We hope that the information will effectively address how x-ray based imaging can be exploited for successful in vivo preclinical imaging.

Region-of-interest image reconstruction in circular cone-beam microCT

Cone-beam microcomputed tomography (microCT) is one of the most popular choices for small animal imaging which is becoming an important tool for studying animal models with transplanted diseases. Region-of-interest (ROI) imaging techniques in CT, which can reconstruct an ROI image from the projection data set of the ROI, can be used not only for reducing imaging-radiation exposure to the subject and scatters to the detector but also for potentially increasing spatial resolution of the reconstructed images. Increasing spatial resolution in microCT images can facilitate improved accuracy in many assessment tasks. A method proposed previously for increasing CT image spatial resolution entails the exploitation of the geometric magnification in cone-beam CT. Due to finite detector size, however, this method can lead to data truncation for a large geometric magnification. The Feldkamp-Davis-Kress (FDK) algorithm yields images with artifacts when truncated data are used, whereas the recently developed backprojection filtration (BPF) algorithm is capable of reconstructing ROI images without truncation artifacts from truncated cone-beam data. We apply the BPF algorithm to reconstructing ROI images from truncated data of three different objects acquired by our circular cone-beam microCT system. Reconstructed images by use of the FDK and BPF algorithms from both truncated and nontruncated cone-beam data are compared. The results of the experimental studies demonstrate that, from certain truncated data, the BPF algorithm can reconstruct ROI images with quality comparable to that reconstructed from nontruncated data. In contrast, the FDK algorithm yields ROI images with truncation artifacts. Therefore, an implication of the studies is that, when truncated data are acquired with a configuration of a large geometric magnification, the BPF algorithm can be used for effective enhancement of the spatial resolution of a ROI image.

Geometric calibration for a dual tube/detector micro-CT system

The authors describe a dual tube/detector micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) system that has the potential to improve temporal resolution and material contrast in small animal imaging studies. To realize this potential, it is necessary to precisely calibrate the geometry of a dual micro-CT system to allow the combination of projection data acquired with each individual tube/detector in a single reconstructed image. The authors present a geometric calibration technique that uses multiple projection images acquired with the two imaging chains while rotating a phantom containing a vertical array of regularly spaced metallic beads. The individual geometries of the imaging chains are estimated from the phantom projection images using analytical methods followed by a refinement procedure based on nonlinear optimization. The geometric parameters are used to create the cone beam projection matrices required by the reconstruction process for each imaging chain. Next, a transformation between the two projection matrices is found that allows the combination of projection data in a single reconstructed image. The authors describe this technique, test it with a series of computer simulations, and then apply it to data collected from their dual tube/detector micro-CT system. The results demonstrate that the proposed technique is accurate, robust, and produces images free of misalignment artifacts.

A registration based approach for 4D cardiac micro-CT using combined prospective and retrospective gating

Recent advances in murine cardiac studies with three-dimensional cone beam micro-computed tomography (CT) have used either prospective or retrospective gating technique. While prospective gating ensures the best image quality and the highest resolution, it involves longer sampling times and higher radiation dose. Sampling is faster and the radiation dose can be reduced with retrospective gating but the image quality is affected by the limited number of projections with an irregular angular distribution which complicate the reconstruction process, causing significant streaking artifacts. This work involves both prospective and retrospective gating in sampling. Deformable registration is used between a high quality image set acquired with prospective gating with the multiple data sets during the cardiac cycle obtained using retrospective gating. Tests were conducted on a four-dimensional (4D) cardiac mouse phantom and after optimization, the method was applied to in vivo cardiac micro-CT data. Results indicate that, by using our method, the sampling time can be reduced by a factor of 2.5 and the radiation dose can be reduced 35% compared to the prospective sampling while the image quality can be maintained. In conclusion, we proposed a novel solution to 4D cine cardiac micro-CT based on a combined prospective with retrospective gating in sampling and deformable registration post reconstruction that mixed the advantages of both strategies.

Left ventricle volume measurements in cardiac micro-CT: the impact of radiation dose and contrast agent

Micro-CT-based cardiac function estimation in small animals requires measurement of left ventricle (LV) volume at multiple time points during the cardiac cycle. Measurement accuracy depends on the image resolution, its signal and noise properties, and the analysis procedure. This work compares the accuracy of the Otsu thresholding and a region sampled binary mixture approach, for live mouse LV volume measurement using 100 microm resolution datasets. We evaluate both analysis methods after varying the volume of injected contrast agent and the number of projections used for CT reconstruction with a goal of permitting reduced levels of both X-ray and contrast agent doses.

Introduction to rodent cardiac imaging

Imaging is a noninvasive complement to traditional methods (such as histology) in rodent cardiac studies. Assessments of structure and function are possible with ultrasound, microcomputed tomography (microCT), and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Cardiac imaging in the rodent poses a challenge because of the size of the animal and its rapid heart rate. Each aspect in the process of rodent cardiac imaging-animal preparation, choice of anesthetic, selection of gating method, image acquisition, and image interpretation and measurement-requires careful consideration to optimize image quality and to ensure accurate and reproducible data collection. Factors in animal preparation that can affect cardiac imaging are the choice of anesthesia regime (injected or inhaled), intubated or free-breathing animals, physiological monitoring (ECG, respiration, and temperature), and animal restraint. Each will vary depending on the method of imaging and the length of the study. Gating strategies, prospective or retrospective, reduce physiological motion artifacts and isolate specific time points in the cardiac cycle (i.e., end-diastole and end-systole) where measurements are taken. This article includes a simple explanation of the physics of ultrasound, microCT, and MR to describe how images are generated. Subsequent sections provide reviews of animal preparation, image acquisition, and measurement techniques in each modality specific to assessing cardiac functions such as ejection fraction, fractional shortening, stroke volume, cardiac output, and left ventricular mass. The discussion also includes the advantages and disadvantages of the different imaging modalities. With the use of ultrasound, microCT, and MR, it is possible to create 2-, 3-, and 4-dimensional views to characterize the structure and function of the rodent heart.

In vivo microCT imaging of rodent cerebral vasculature

Computed tomography (CT) remains a critical diagnostic tool for evaluating patients with cerebrovascular disease, and the advent of specialized systems for imaging rodents has extended these techniques to small animal models of these diseases. We therefore have evaluated in vivo methods of imaging rat models of hemorrhagic stroke using a high resolution compact computed tomography ('microCT') system (FLEX(tm) X-O(tm), Gamma Medica-Ideas, Northridge, CA). For all in vivo studies, the head of the anesthetized rat was secured in a custom immobilization device for microCT imaging with 512 projections over 2 min at 60 kVp and 0.530 mA (I(tube) x t/rotation=63.6 mAs). First, imaging without iodinated contrast was performed (a) to differentiate the effect of contrast agent in contrast-enhanced CT and (b) to examine the effectiveness of the immobilization device between two time points of CT acquisitions. Then, contrast-enhanced CT was performed with continuous administration of iopromide (300 mgI ml(-1) at 1.2 ml min(-1)) to visualize aneurysms and other vascular formations in the carotid and cerebral arteries that may precede subarachnoid hemorrhage. The accuracy of registration between the noncontrast and contrast-enhanced CT images with the immobilization device was compared against the images aligned with normalized mutual information using FMRIB's linear image registration tool (FLIRT). Translations and rotations were examined between the FLIRT-aligned noncontrast CT image and the nonaligned noncontrast CT image. These two data sets demonstrated translational and rotational differences of less than 0.5 voxel (approximately 85 microm) and 0.5 degrees, respectively. Noncontrast CT demonstrated a very small volume (0.1 ml) of femoral arterial blood introduced surgically into the rodent brain. Continuous administration of iopromide during the CT acquisition produced consistent vascular contrast in the reconstructed CT images. As a result, carotid arteries and major cerebral blood vessels were visible with contrast-enhanced CT, but not with noncontrast CT. In conclusion, the CT-compatible immobilization device was useful for in vivo microCT imaging of intracranial blood and of vascular structures within and immediately adjacent to the rodent brain. The microCT imaging technique is also compatible with continuous administration of a conventional iodinated contrast agent (e.g. iopromide) and therefore does not require specialized small animal specific contrast agent that has comparatively long in vivo residence time.

Colloidal gold nanoparticles as a blood-pool contrast agent for X-ray computed tomography in mice

OBJECTIVES

To present the pharmacokinetics and computed tomographic imaging efficacy of colloidal gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) as a blood-pool agent for x-ray computed tomography (CT).

METHODS AND MATERIALS

To prepare the colloidal AuNPs, gold nanocrystals were modified using sulfhydrated polyethylene glycol (PEG). Cytotoxicity and histopathologic tests were carried out for toxicity evaluation. Six adult Balb/c mice underwent microcomputed tomography scans after injection of colloidal AuNPs (2.5 micromol Au/g body weight). Four mice with HT-1080 tumors were imaged for visualization of the tumor vasculature.

RESULTS

The PEG coated colloidal AuNPs appeared as spherical nanoparticles with 38-nm diameters. The AuNPs-PEG showed a biocompatibility without toxicity in the mice. We identified a stable imaging window for visualizing the vasculature system, immediately to 24 hours after injection. Microcomputed tomography imaging using AuNPs-PEG clearly visualized the tumor vascular structures.

CONCLUSION

Colloidal AuNPs show potential as a blood-pool agent for x-ray CT imaging.

Sparseness prior based iterative image reconstruction for retrospectively gated cardiac micro-CT

Recent advances in murine cardiac studies with three-dimensional (3D) cone beam micro-CT used a retrospective gating technique. However, this sampling technique results in a limited number of projections with an irregular angular distribution due to the temporal resolution requirements and radiation dose restrictions. Both angular irregularity and undersampling complicate the reconstruction process, since they cause significant streaking artifacts. This work provides an iterative reconstruction solution to address this particular challenge. A sparseness prior regularized weighted l2 norm optimization is proposed to mitigate streaking artifacts based on the fact that most medical images are compressible. Total variation is implemented in this work as the regularizer for its simplicity. Comparison studies are conducted on a 3D cardiac mouse phantom generated with experimental data. After optimization, the method is applied to in vivo cardiac micro-CT data.

Retrospective motion gating in small animal CT of mice and rats

OBJECTIVES

Implementation and evaluation of retrospective respiratory and cardiac gating of mice and rats using a flat-panel volume-CT prototype (fpVCT).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Respiratory and cardiac gating was implemented by equipping a fpVCT with a small animal monitoring unit. ECG and breathing excursions were recorded and 2 binary gating signals derived. Mice and rats were scanned continuously over 80 seconds after administration of blood-pool contrast media. Projections were chosen to reconstruct volumes that fall within defined phases of the cardiac/respiratory cycle.

RESULTS

Multireader analysis indicated that in gated still images motion artifacts were strongly reduced and diaphragm, tracheobronchial tract, heart, and vessels sharply delineated. From 4D series, functional data such as respiratory tidal volume and cardiac ejection fraction were calculated and matched well with values known from literature.

DISCUSSION

Implementation of retrospective gating in fpVCT improves image quality and opens new perspectives for functional cardiac and lung imaging in small animals.

Improved visualization of vessels and hepatic tumors by micro-computed tomography (CT) using iodinated liposomes

OBJECTIVE

The goal of this study was to determine whether iodinated liposomes are a suitable tracer for mice microvessel and liver imaging by preclinical computed tomography (CT).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Iodinated liposomes were evaluated for vessel and liver imaging. A first group of nude mice was imaged by micro-CT after i.v. injection of liposomes at 1 or 2 gI/kg body weight (b.w.) for intervals up to 24 hours. A second group of mice bearing liver micrometastases was imaged after injection of liposomes at 2 gI/kg b.w. for intervals up to 24 hours.

RESULTS

Vascular enhancements of 120 +/- 8 and 322 +/- 20 Hounsfield unit (HU) were obtained after injection of liposomes at 1 or 2 gI/kg b.w., respectively. This enhancement decreased with a blood half-life of 135 +/- 10 and 86 +/- 9 minutes, respectively. Liver enhancement of 157 +/- 5 and 235 +/- 23 HU were obtained after injection of iodinated liposomes at 1 and 2 gI/kg b.w., respectively. Liver micrometastases (250 microm) were detectable after injection of iodinated liposomes at 2 gI/kg b.w.

CONCLUSIONS

Iodinated liposomes are a suitable contrast agent for vessels and liver imaging by micro-CT allowing clear vascular enhancement and detection of small liver metastases.

Multimodality optical imaging of embryonic heart microstructure

Study of developmental heart defects requires the visualization of the microstructure and function of the embryonic myocardium, ideally with minimal alterations to the specimen. We demonstrate multiple endogenous contrast optical techniques for imaging the Xenopus laevis tadpole heart. Each technique provides distinct and complementary imaging capabilities, including: 1. 3-D coherence microscopy with subcellular (1 to 2 microm) resolution in fixed embryos, 2. real-time reflectance confocal microscopy with large penetration depth in vivo, and 3. ultra-high speed (up to 900 frames per second) that enables real-time 4-D high resolution imaging in vivo. These imaging modalities can provide a comprehensive picture of the morphologic and dynamic phenotype of the embryonic heart. The potential of endogenous-contrast optical microscopy is demonstrated for investigation of the teratogenic effects of ethanol. Microstructural abnormalities associated with high levels of ethanol exposure are observed, including compromised heart looping and loss of ventricular trabecular mass.

Refinement of cardiac NMR imaging in awake hamsters: proof of feasibility and characterization of cardiomyopathy

The goal of this study was to demonstrate the feasibility of cardiac NMR imaging in conscious hamsters and its usefulness in evaluating cardiac abnormalities in a small-animal model of cardiomyopathy. Awake hamsters, controls and cardiomyopathic ones (CHF 147), were immobilized in a dedicated holder. Half-Fourier single-shot FSE imaging, with outer-volume suppression and 'black-blood' contrast provided images free from motion artifact with good visualization of cardiac anatomy at any point in the cardiac cycle. Series of double-oblique views were acquired with or without electrocardiograph gating. Image acquisition time was 55 ms, with an in-plane resolution of 470 x 625 microm2. Left ventricular volumes, ejection fraction, and myocardium NMR signal heterogeneity were compared in CHF 147 and control hearts. Left ventricles of CHF 147 hamsters were dilated, as indicated by the increase in end-diastolic cavity volume (299 +/- 79 mm3 compared with the controls (141 +/- 39 mm3; P = 0.0002). Left ventricular ejection fraction was largely reduced (45 +/- 9% vs 86 +/- 4%; P < 0.0001). The NMR signal distribution at an effective echo time of 41 ms was more heterogeneous in the myocardial wall of CHF 147 hamsters than in controls (1.87 +/- 0.37 a.u. vs 0.98 +/- 0.12 a.u., respectively; P = 0.0002). This study is a refinement of animal experimentation, as it demonstrates for the first time that characteristic features of cardiac pathology can be evaluated with ultra-fast NMR imaging in conscious small rodents.

Current issues and perspectives in small rodent magnetic resonance imaging using clinical MRI scanners

Small rodents such as mice and rats are frequently used in animal experiments for several reasons. In the past, animal experiments were frequently associated with invasive methods and groups of animals had to be killed to perform longitudinal studies. Today's modern imaging techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) allow non-invasive longitudinal monitoring of multiple parameters. Although only a few institutions have access to dedicated small animal MR scanners, most institutions carrying out animal experiments have access to clinical MR scanners. Technological advances and the increasing field strength of clinical scanners make MRI a broadly available and viable technique in preclinical in vivo research. This review provides an overview of current concepts, limitations, and recent studies dealing with small animal imaging using clinical MR scanners.

Cardiac Micro–Computed Tomography for Morphological and Functional Phenotyping of Muscle LIM Protein Null Mice

The purpose of this study was to investigate the use of micro–computed tomography (micro-CT) for morphological and functional phenotyping of muscle LIM protein (MLP) null mice and to compare micro-CT with M-mode echocardiography. MLP null mice and controls were imaged using both micro-CT and M-mode echocardiography. For micro-CT, we used a custom-built scanner. Following a single intravenous injection of a blood pool contrast agent (Fenestra VC, ART Advanced Research Technologies, Saint-Laurent, QC) and using a cardiorespiratory gating, we acquired eight phases of the cardiac cycle (every 15 ms) and reconstructed three-dimensional data sets with 94-micron isotropic resolution. Wall thickness and volumetric measurements of the left ventricle were performed, and cardiac function was estimated. Micro-CT and M-mode echocardiography showed both morphological and functional aspects that separate MLP null mice from controls. End-diastolic and -systolic volumes were increased significantly three- and fivefold, respectively, in the MLP null mice versus controls. Ejection fraction was reduced by an average of 32% in MLP null mice. The data analysis shows that two imaging modalities provided different results partly owing to the difference in anesthesia regimens. Other sources of errors for micro-CT are also analyzed. Micro-CT can provide the four-dimensional data (three-dimensional isotropic volumes over time) required for morphological and functional phenotyping in mice.

In vivo mouse imaging and spectroscopy in drug discovery

Imaging modalities such as micro-computed tomography (micro-CT), micro-positron emission tomography (micro-PET), high-resolution MRI, optical imaging, and high-resolution ultrasound have become invaluable tools in preclinical pharmaceutical research. They can be used to non-invasively investigate, in vivo, rodent biology and metabolism, disease models, and pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of drugs. The advantages and limitations of each approach usually determine its application, and therefore a small-rodent imaging laboratory in a pharmaceutical environment should ideally provide access to several techniques. In this paper we aim to illustrate how these techniques may be used to obtain meaningful information for the phenotyping of transgenic mice and for the analysis of compounds in murine models of disease.

Tumor imaging in small animals with a combined micro-CT/micro-DSA system using iodinated conventional and blood pool contrast agents

X-ray based micro-computed tomography (CT) and micro-digital subtraction angiography (DSA) are important non-invasive imaging modalities for following tumorogenesis in small animals. To exploit these imaging capabilities further, the two modalities were combined into a single system to provide both morphological and functional data from the same tumor in a single imaging session. The system is described and examples are given of imaging implanted fibrosarcoma tumors in rats using two types of contrast media: (a) a new generation of blood pool contrast agent containing iodine with a concentration of 130 mg/mL (Fenestratrade mark VC, Alerion Biomedical, San Diego, CA, USA) for micro-CT and (b) a conventional iodinated contrast agent (Isovue(R)-370 mg/mL iodine, trademark of Bracco Diagnostics, Princeton, NJ, USA) for micro-DSA. With the blood pool contrast agent, the 3D vascular architecture is revealed in exquisite detail at 100 microm resolution. Micro-DSA images, in perfect registration with the 3D micro-CT datasets, provide complementary functional information such as mean transit times and relative blood flow through the tumor. This imaging approach could be used to understand tumor angiogenesis better and be the basis for evaluating anti-angiogenic therapies.

High-resolution imaging of murine myocardial infarction with delayed-enhancement cine micro-CT

The objective of this study was to determine the feasibility of delayed-enhancement micro-computed tomography (microCT) imaging to quantify myocardial infarct size in experimental mouse models. A total of 20 mice were imaged 5 or 35 days after surgical ligation of the left coronary artery or sham surgery (n=6 or 7 per group). We utilized a prototype microCT that covers a three-dimensional (3D) volume with an isotropic spatial resolution of 100 microm. A series of image acquisitions were started after a 200 microl bolus of a high-molecular-weight blood pool CT agent to outline the ventricles. CT imaging was continuously performed over 60 min, while an intravenous constant infusion with iopamidol 370 was started at a dosage of 1 ml/h. Thirty minutes after the initiation of this infusion, signal intensity in Hounsfield units was significantly higher in the infarct than in the remote, uninjured myocardium. Cardiac morphology and motion were visualized with excellent contrast and in fine detail. In vivo CT determination of infarct size at the midventricular level was in good agreement with ex vivo staining with triphenyltetrazolium chloride [5 days post-myocardial infarction (MI): r(2)=0.86, P<0.01; 35 days post-MI: r(2)=0.92, P<0.01]. In addition, we detected significant left ventricular remodeling consisting of left ventricular dilation and decreased ejection fraction. 3D cine microCT reliably and rapidly quantifies infarct size and assesses murine anatomy and physiology after coronary ligation, despite the small size and fast movement of the mouse heart. This efficient imaging tool is a valuable addition to the current phenotyping armamentarium and will allow rapid testing of novel drugs and cell-based interventions in murine models.

Fast Retrospectively Gated Quantitative Four-Dimensional (4D) Cardiac Micro Computed Tomography Imaging of Free-Breathing Mice

OBJECTIVE

We sought to demonstrate retrospectively gated dynamic 3D cardiac micro computed tomography (CT) of free-breathing mice.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Five C57Bl6 mice were scanned using a cone-beam scanner with a slip-ring-mounted flat-panel detector. After the injection of an intravascular iodinated contrast agent, projection images were acquired over the course of 50 seconds, while the scanner rotated through 10 complete rotations. The mouse respiratory and electrocardiogram signals were recorder simultaneously with image acquisition. After acquisition, the projection images were retrospectively sorted into projections belonging to different cardiac time points, occurring only during expiration.

RESULTS

Dynamic 3D cardiac images, with isotropic 150-microm voxel spacing, were reconstructed at 12-millisecond intervals throughout the cardiac cycle in all mice. The average ejection fraction and cardiac output were 58.2+/-4.6% and 11.4+/-1.3 mL/min, respectively. The measured entrance dose for the entire scan was 28 cGy. Repeat scans of the same animals showed that intrasubject variability was smaller than intersubject variability.

CONCLUSIONS

We have developed a high-resolution micro computed tomography method for evaluating the cardiac function and morphology of free-breathing mice in acquisition times shorter than 1 minute.

Optimized radiographic spectra for small animal digital subtraction angiography

The increasing use of small animals in basic research has spurred interest in new imaging methodologies. Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) offers a particularly appealing approach to functional imaging in the small animal. This study examines the optimal x-ray, molybdenum (Mo) or tungsten (W) target sources, and technique to produce the highest quality small animal functional subtraction angiograms in terms of contrast and signal-difference-to-noise ratio squared (SdNR2). Two limiting conditions were considered-normalization with respect to dose and normalization against tube loading. Image contrast and SdNR2 were simulated using an established x-ray model. DSA images of live rats were taken at two representative tube potentials for the W and Mo sources. Results show that for small animal DSA, the Mo source provides better contrast. However, with digital detectors, SdNR2 is the more relevant figure of merit. The W source operated at kVps >60 achieved a higher SdNR2. The highest SdNR2 was obtained at voltages above 90 kVp. However, operation at the higher potential results in significantly greater dose and tube load and reduced contrast quantization. A reasonable tradeoff can be achieved at tube potentials at the beginning of the performance plateau, around 70 kVp, where the relative gain in SdNR2 is the greatest.

Time-course characterization of the computed tomography contrast enhancement of an iodinated blood-pool contrast agent in mice using a volumetric flat-panel equipped computed tomography scanner

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to determine the time-course of computed tomography (CT) contrast enhancement of an iodinated blood-pool contrast agent.

METHODS

Five C57BL/6 mice were anesthetized, imaged at baseline, and given an iodinated blood-pool contrast agent. Micro-CT scans were acquired at 0, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8, and 24 hours after injection. The mean CT number was determined in a region of interest in 7 organs.

RESULTS

The CT contrast enhancement was plotted as a function of time for each organ. We identified an imaging window immediately after injection suitable for visualizing the vascular system and a second imaging window at 24 hours for visualizing liver and spleen.

CONCLUSIONS

A single injection of the blood-pool contrast agent can be used for dual-phase investigations of the vasculature (t = 0 hours) and liver (t = 24 hours), which can be applied to studies of liver tumors or disease.

Imaging methods for morphological and functional phenotyping of the rodent heart

Small animal imaging has a critical role in phenotyping, drug discovery, and in providing a basic understanding of mechanisms of disease. Translating imaging methods from humans to small animals is not an easy task. The purpose of this work is to compare two cardiac imaging modalities, i.e., magnetic resonance microscopy (MRM) and microcomputed tomography (CT) for preclinical studies on rodents. We present the two technologies, the parameters that they can measure, the types of alterations that they can detect, and show how these imaging methods compare to techniques available in clinical medicine. While this paper does not refer per se to the cardiac risk assessment for drug or chemical development, we hope that the information will effectively address how MRM and micro-CT might be exploited to measure biomarkers critical for safety assessment.

A Liposomal Nanoscale Contrast Agent for Preclinical CT in Mice

OBJECTIVE

The goal of this study was to determine if an iodinated, liposomal contrast agent could be used for high-resolution, micro-CT of low-contrast, small-size vessels in a murine model.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A second-generation, liposomal blood pool contrast agent encapsulating a high concentration of iodine (83-105 mg I/mL) was evaluated. A total of five mice weighing between 20 and 28 g were infused with equivalent volume doses (500 microL of contrast agent/25 g of mouse weight) and imaged with our micro-CT system for intervals of up to 240 min postinfusion. The animals were anesthetized, mechanically ventilated, and vital signs monitored allowing for simultaneous cardiac and respiratory gating of image acquisition.

RESULTS

Initial enhancement of about 900 H in the aorta was obtained, which decreased to a plateau level of approximately 800 H after 2 hr. Excellent contrast discrimination was shown between the myocardium and cardiac blood pool (650-700 H). No significant nephrogram was identified, indicating the absence of renal clearance of the agent.

CONCLUSION

The liposomal-based iodinated contrast agent shows long residence time in the blood pool, very high attenuation within submillimeter vessels, and no significant renal clearance rendering it an effective contrast agent for murine vascular imaging using a micro-CT scanner.