Application of the optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) technique for mouse dosimetry in micro-CT imaging

Advances in CT Techniques in Vascular Calcification

Vascular calcification, a common pathological phenomenon in atherosclerosis, diabetes, hypertension, and other diseases, increases the incidence and mortality of cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, the prevention and detection of vascular calcification play an important role. At present, various techniques have been applied to the analysis of vascular calcification, but clinical examination mainly depends on non-invasive and invasive imaging methods to detect and quantify. Computed tomography (CT), as a commonly used clinical examination method, can analyze vascular calcification. In recent years, with the development of technology, in addition to traditional CT, some emerging types of CT, such as dual-energy CT and micro CT, have emerged for vascular imaging and providing anatomical information for calcification. This review focuses on the latest application of various CT techniques in vascular calcification.

Preclinical SPECT and SPECT-CT in Oncology

Molecular imaging enables both spatial and temporal understanding of the complex biologic systems underlying carcinogenesis and malignant spread. Single-photon emission tomography (SPECT) is a versatile nuclear imaging-based technique with ideal properties to study these processes in vivo in small animal models, as well as to identify potential drug candidates and characterize their antitumor action and potential adverse effects. Small animal SPECT and SPECT-CT (single-photon emission tomography combined with computer tomography) systems continue to evolve, as do the numerous SPECT radiopharmaceutical agents, allowing unprecedented sensitivity and quantitative molecular imaging capabilities. Several of these advances, their specific applications in oncology as well as new areas of exploration are highlighted in this chapter.

Detection of Calcified Aortic Plaques in an Apolipoprotein E Animal Model Using a Human Computed Tomography System for Ultra-High-resolution Imaging: A Feasibility Study

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to prospectively evaluate the feasibility of detecting calcified aortic plaques in apolipoprotein E knockout (ApoE-KO) mice using a state-of-the-art human computed tomography (CT) system.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Eleven ApoE-KO and 9 wild-type mice, all male, were examined in this study. After intraperitoneal injection of 6.6% ketamine all mice underwent 2 ultra-high-resolution CT protocols on a third-generation dual-source CT system at 120 kVp and 130 kVp tube voltage, both performed with a tube current time product of 1300 mAs. Images (0.4 mm) with an increment of 0.2 mm were reconstructed using an iterative reconstruction algorithm. Calcium detectability and scores (Agatston, volume, mass) were determined with a dedicated human calcium scoring software (CaScoring). After the CT examination, a calcium quantification assay of the aortae was performed to determine the aortic calcium content of each mouse. The CT scan time ranged between 40 and 48 seconds. All mice survived the procedure.

RESULTS

Calcified plaques could be detected in 8 of 11 ApoE-KO mice. Quantification of calcium levels showed significant differences between those with morphologic calcium plaques detected in CT and those without (3.44±1.6 μg Ca/mg vs. 0.33±0.35 μg Ca/mg; P<0.05). The receiver-operating characteristics analysis revealed a total calcium cut-off value of 0.71 μg Ca/mg for the detection using calcium score algorithms (specificity: 100% and sensitivity: 90%).

CONCLUSION

Using a state-of-the-art human CT protocol and an in-human-established calcium scoring system allows for the detection and quantification of calcified aortic plaques in ApoE-KO mice. These results may facilitate preclinical imaging for translational and longitudinal atherosclerotic research studies.

Technical Note: Development of a phantom for dosimetric comparison of murine micro-CT protocols with optically stimulated luminescent dosimeters

PURPOSE

This work aims to evaluate the utility and accuracy of a mouse-like phantom and optically stimulated luminescent dosimeters (OSLDs) in measuring dose delivered to the body and lung of mice undergoing micro-CT imaging.

METHODS

A phantom with two cavities for NanoDot OSLDs (Landauer, Inc., Greenwood, IL) was designed and constructed using acrylic to model the mouse body and polyurethane foam to obtain an approximate lung tissue dose. The OSLD dose was compared to ion chamber measurements for the same imaging protocols delivered by a Siemens Inveon micro-CT (Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc., Hoffman Estates, IL, USA). A whole body scan, using 80 kV, 0.5 mA and 0.5 mm of aluminum filter, was used to compare results to previously published data. Additionally, dose was measured for the whole body scan without the aluminum filter and two chest protocols (full and half rotation).

RESULTS

OSLD dose results agree with chamber measurements within 3%. Average OSLD measurements for the whole body scan without filter were 10.7 ± 0.7 cGy in the abdomen and 11.2 ± 0.7 cGy in the lung. For the full rotation chest protocol, the average dose measured in the lung was 65.8 ± 4.3 cGy and 60.2 ± 3.9 cGy in the abdomen. Average doses were 41.1 ± 2.7 cGy in the lung and 38.2 ± 2.5 cGy in the abdomen for the half rotation chest protocol. The OSLD measurements showed a coefficient of variation under 1.4%. A maximum rotational geometry under-response of 0.86% with respect to exposure at normal incidence to the OSLD was measured.

CONCLUSIONS

The doses measured were found to be comparable to other studies for the scanner configuration and protocols chosen. The phantom built for this study was found to give reproducible dose measurements with 4% uncertainty. In this way, a robust and convenient method is established for future dose assessment of micro-CT protocols and interinstitutional comparisons.

The optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) properties of LiF:Mg,TI, Li2B4O7:CU, CaSO4:Tm, and CaF2:MN thermoluminescent (TL) materials

This paper reports on an investigation into the optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) properties of several known thermoluminescent materials, namely LiF:Mg,Ti, Li2B4O7:Cu, CaSO4:Tm, and CaF2:Mn. Samples were irradiated to air doses of 15mGy, 150mGy and 1.5Gy and analyzed using a commercially available OSL reader system to determine their luminescence response to continuous blue and infrared light (IR) excitation, centered at 470nm and 830nm wavelengths, respectively. CaF2:Mn did not show an OSL response with either IR or blue light stimulation. Li2B4O7:Cu and LiF:Mg,Ti demonstrated relatively weak OSL signals only under blue light excitation. CaSO4:Tm exhibited OSL under both IR and blue light stimulation at sensitivities roughly one order of magnitude less than the OSL response of α-Al2O3:C under the same conditions.