Ultrafast high-resolution in vivo volume-CTA of mice cerebral vessels.
OBJECTIVE
Animal models developed in rats and mice have become indispensable in preclinical cerebrovascular research. Points of interest include the investigation of the vascular bed and the morphology and function of the arterial, capillary, and venous vessels. Because of their extremely small caliber, in vivo examination of these vessels is extremely difficult. In the present study we have developed a method to provide fast 3D in vivo analysis of cerebral murine vessels using volume computed tomography-angiography (vCTA).


METHODS
Using an industrial X-ray inspection system equipped with a multifocus cone beam X-ray source and a 12-bit direct digital flatbed detector, high-speed vCTA (180 degrees rotation in 40 s. at 30 fps) was performed in anesthetized mice. During the scan an iodinated contrast agent was infused via a tail vein. Images were reconstructed using a filtered backprojection algorithm. Image analysis was performed by maximum intensity projection (MIP) and 3D volume reconstruction.


RESULTS
All mice tolerated i.v. injection of the iodinated contrast agent well. Smallest achievable voxel size of raw data while scanning the whole neurocranium was 16 mum. Anatomy of cerebral vessels was assessable in all animals, and anatomic differences between mouse strains could easily be detected. Mean vessel diameter was measured in C57BL/6 and BALBc mice. Changes of vessel caliber were assessable by repeated vCTA.


CONCLUSIONS
Ultra fast in vivo vCTA of murine cerebral vasculature is feasible at resolutions down to 16 mum. The technique allows the assessment of vessel caliber changes in living mice, thus providing an interesting tool to monitor different features such as vasospasm or vessel patency.
Schambach
Sebastian J
SJ
Department of Neuroradiology, University of Heidelberg, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany.
Bag
Simona
S
Steil
Volker
V
Isaza
Cristina
C
Schilling
Lothar
L
Groden
Christoph
C
Brockmann
Marc A
MA
D000818:Animals; D002196:Capillaries / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002533:Cerebral Angiography / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D002536:Cerebral Arteries / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002550:Cerebral Veins / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003287:Contrast Media; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D023421:Models, Animal; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D013997:Time Factors; D055114:X-Ray Microtomography / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards
D003287:Contrast Media