[Determination of renal carcinoma progression in small animals by means of flat-panel volumetric computer tomography].
OBJECTIVE
We investigated the feasibility of using flat panel volumetric computer tomography (fpVCT) for the detection of orthotopically implanted renal carcinomas in nude mice.


METHODS
One million renal cell carcinoma cells [A-498 line (Braunschweig, Germany), in 0.2 ml phosphate-buffered solution (PBS), pH 7.4] were injected into the left kidney of each of the eight nude mice. Each mouse was imaged twice (12 and 16 weeks after implantation) with fpVCT (GE prototype with circular gantry with two 1024 x 1024, 200 microm pixel size, aSi/CsI flat panel detector) after injection of 200 microl contrast medium to check for tumour spread. After 16 weeks the mice were killed and dissected, and the imaging findings in liver, kidneys and lung were compared with the macroscopic findings.


RESULTS
No local evidence of tumour or of metastatic spread was seen on fpVCT after 12 weeks in any of the mice. After 16 weeks fpVCT revealed tumour growth in 6 of the 16 kidneys. Two mice had each developed a multifocal renal cell carcinoma and one mouse, a bilateral renal tumour manifestation. In one mouse liver metastases were seen. The fpVCT findings correlated well with the observations recorded in the pathological examination.


CONCLUSIONS
fpVCT is an innovative and noninvasive imaging procedure that can be used for longitudinal investigation of tumour progression following orthotopic implantation of renal cell carcinoma to small animals. The use of a system of this kind will make a decisive contribution to reducing the number of animals used in experimental test projects.
Heuser
M
M
Abteilung für Urologie, Asklepios Stadtklinik, Brunnenallee 19, Bad Wildungen, Germany. m.heuser@asklepios.com
Hemmerlein
B
B
Püsken
M
M
Koskinas
N
N
Dullin
C
C
Gross
A J
AJ
Zöller
G M
GM
Obenauer
S
S
D000818:Animals; D002292:Carcinoma, Renal Cell / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary; D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography; D018450:Disease Progression; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D007668:Kidney / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008819:Mice, Nude; D009368:Neoplasm Transplantation / Q000473:pathology; D009378:Neoplasms, Multiple Primary / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology