title: Nano-Computed Tomography: Technique and Applications.
abstract: Nano-computed tomography (nano-CT) is an emerging, high-resolution cross-sectional imaging technique and represents a technical advancement of the established micro-CT technology. Based on the application of a transmission target X-ray tube, the focal spot size can be decreased down to diameters less than 400 nanometers (nm). Together with specific detectors and examination protocols, a superior spatial resolution up to 400 nm (10 % MTF) can be achieved, thereby exceeding the resolution capacity of typical micro-CT systems. The technical concept of nano-CT imaging as well as the basics of specimen preparation are demonstrated exemplarily. Characteristics of atherosclerotic plaques (intraplaque hemorrhage and calcifications) in a murine model of atherosclerosis (ApoE (-/-)/LDLR(-/-) double knockout mouse) are demonstrated in the context of superior spatial resolution in comparison to micro-CT. Furthermore, this article presents the application of nano-CT for imaging cerebral microcirculation (murine), lung structures (porcine), and trabecular microstructure (ovine) in contrast to micro-CT imaging. This review shows the potential of nano-CT as a radiological method in biomedical basic research and discusses the application of experimental, high resolution CT techniques in consideration of other high resolution cross-sectional imaging techniques.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Nano-computed tomography is a high resolution CT-technology for 3D imaging at sub-micrometer resolution. The technical concept bases on a further development of the established ex-vivo-micro-CT technology. By improvement of the spatial resolution, structures at a cellular level become visible (e.g. osteocyte lacunae).
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Gießen, Germany.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kampschulte
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, BG Trauma Hospital Frankfurt/Main, Germany.
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Langheinirch
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Gießen, Germany.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sender
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Gießen, Germany.
authors.forename: H D
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Litzlbauer
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Gießen, Germany.
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Althöhn
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Gießen, Germany.
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Schwab
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Gießen, Germany.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Alejandre-Lafont
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Gießen, Germany.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Martels
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Gießen, Germany.
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Krombach
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000473:pathology; D035843:Biomedical Research; D001921:Brain / Q000098:blood supply; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D008168:Lung / Q000473:pathology; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000502:physiology; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D010011:Osteocytes / Q000473:pathology; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000473:pathology; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D055114:X-Ray Microtomography / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*