Specialized equipment was used to administer a colloidal inhalant aerosol to a mouse. Exposure to the aerosol was limited to three minutes, immediately prior to imaging. Estimated dose is ~350uCi (12MBq), although the administration method complicates the dose estimation procedure. Whole-body image data were acquired for 23 minutes (24 projections, 44 seconds per projection), using a standard, whole-body, high-sensitivity aperture. Whole-body CT data were acquired over 10 minutes (180 projections/rotation, 1 second per projection).
Images courtesy of Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute and Ben Gershman, University of New Mexico
A CT study was performed to quantify the reduction in usable lung capacity in a lizard as a result of gravidity. CT data were acquired late in the gravidity of the lizard and again immediately after the laying of the eggs. Whole-body, six-minute (180 projections/rotation, 1 second per projection) acquisitions were performed in both cases. In the image, the chart displays the quantified change in lung volume (a series of 8-slice, anatomically-based, sub-regions of the lung were used for overall lung volume estimation) as a function of gravidity. The image on the right displays the lung region of the lizard in a gravid state while the imaging the left displays the lung region of the same animal post-gravidity.
Images courtesy of Casey Gilman & Ben Gershman, University of New Mexico
A mouse was injected via tail vein with ~35 MBq (< 1mCi) of Tc-labeled human serum albumin (HSA). Imaging began immediately (~2 minutes) post-injection. Two acquisitions (one 16-minutes and one 32-minutes) were performed in succession. Projection data from the two acquisitions were combined (via the IVS Sum Projections tool). Eight frames were used for the gating. Mouse cardiac rate was stable and between 250-300 BPM for the duration of the acquisition.
Images courtesy of Dr. Fijs van Leeuwen at the National Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands (NKI-AVL)
A mouse was injected with ~19MBq (~0.5mCi) of Tc99m-labeled macro-aggregated albumin (MAA). Imaging was performed 60 minutes post-injection. Respiratory gating was performed using an external box from SA Instruments. A small pneumatic pillow is used to detect respiration Data were acquired over 12 minutes, using 6 frames. Respiratory rates were stable and around 130 BPM throughout the acquisition.
Images courtesy of Dr. Fijs van Leeuwen at the National Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands (NKI-AVL).
A scout CT scan was collected to pinpoint the heart and liver location in a mouse (maximizing efficiency) injected with Tc99m-labeled MIBI. The animal was anesthetized with sodium pentobarbitol (Nembutol). Focused cardiac-gated (ECG) heart/liver data were acquired with 24 projections collected over an 18mm scan range using 4 apertures equipped with 9 pinholes of 1.4mm diameter (allowing a resolution down to 1.1 mm). Count rates (heart and liver) were approximately 2500 cps. The heart rate was >200 bpm with the cardiac cycle divided into 8 frames.
Special thanks to Dr. Jacob Hesterman for imaging and post-processing, and Dr. Domokos Mathe for the animal handling.
Longitudinal tumor study in a mouse using I131 (8d phys. half life, 364 keV peak) labeled I131-CLR1404 (a radioiodinated phospholipid ether analog), imaged 19 hours (left) and 7 days (middle) and 19 days (right) post injection.
At times of acquisition, the mouse contained as little as 11 MBq (300 µCi) of I131. However, even weeks later, the uptake in the tumor is still clearly detectable, thus allowing for longitudinal studies, tracking the development of tumors in individual animals.
Despite the high energy of the I131 photons and the low activity, there is a strong signal of the tumor visible in all images. In the right image, a post-processing smoothing filter was applied (Gauss, 2 mm FWHM).
For more details on the tracer see: http://cellectar.com/sciences/
Respiratory gated scan of the torso of a mouse, showing liver, gallbladder and kidneys. Visible are a (M)aximum Intensity Projection, (C)oronal, (S)agittal and (T)ransversal views.
Imaging parameters: 2mCi of Tc99m-labeled MIBI imaged 45 minutes post injection in a 32 minute acquisition.
Special thanks to Ben Gershman and Jacob Hesterman for image acquisition and post-processing.
A rat was injected with ~75 MBq (2 mCi) of Tc-labeled Myoview and imaged 30 minutes post-injection for 1 hour. The rat was anesthetized using Isofluorane and exhibited a stable heart rate of ~250 BPM. Rejection rate was near zero and only a slight decrease in heart rate was observed (and adjusted for) over the course of the acquisition.
Image courtesy of the University of Ottawa Heart Institute.
Bioscan's Image of the Month May: A nude mouse with a pancreatic tumor on its right shoulder. Injected with an 30 MBq (0.8 mCi) of In-111 labeled monomer. Scan range - 35.4mm (just the heart and the tumor were scanned). In total 24 scans, just below 5 minutes each, where performed, summing up to a 2 hour acquisition time.
By courtesy of Ciara Finucane (aka SU1). Centre for Cancer Imaging, Barts and The London Queen Mary's School of Medicine and Dentistry London
Male, NCR-Nude mouse bearing SKMEL3 tumor on left flank.
Special apertures used to shield high energy (365 keV) photons of I-131 and advanced reconstruction software used to produce artifact free, high-resolution images.
Injected dose only 87 µCi (3 MBq) of I-131 MIP-1145 i.v. as treatment of melanoma. Imaged 24 hours post injection, 80 minutes total acquisition time, due to very low activity.