Section on Medical Neuroendocrinology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892-1109, USA.
Methods. 2010 Jan;50(1):20-5. doi: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2009.05.016. Epub 2009 Jun 9.
Three-dimensional micro computed tomography (microCT) offers the opportunity to capture images liver structures and lesions in mice with a high spatial resolution. Non-invasive microCT allows for accurate calculation of vessel tortuosity and density, as well as liver lesion volume and distribution. Longitudinal monitoring of liver lesions is also possible. However, distinguishing liver lesions from variations within a normal liver is impossible by microCT without the use of liver- or tumor-specific contrast-enhancing agents. The combination of microCT for morphologic imaging with functional imaging, such as positron emission tomography (PET) or single photon emission tomography (SPECT), offers the opportunity for better abdominal imaging and assessment of structure discrepancies visible by functional imaging. This paper describes methods of current microCT imaging options for imaging of liver lesions compared to other imaging techniques in small animals.
三维微计算机断层扫描（microCT）提供了以高空间分辨率捕获小鼠肝脏结构和病变图像的机会。非侵入性的 microCT 允许准确计算血管迂曲度和密度，以及肝病变体积和分布。也可以进行肝病变的纵向监测。然而，如果不使用肝或肿瘤特异性的对比增强剂，microCT 无法将肝病变与正常肝内的变化区分开来。microCT 结合形态成像与功能成像，如正电子发射断层扫描（PET）或单光子发射断层扫描（SPECT），为更好的腹部成像和评估功能成像可见的结构差异提供了机会。本文介绍了当前用于小动物肝脏病变成像的 microCT 成像选择方法，并与其他成像技术进行了比较。
