title: Early clinical applications for imaging at microscopic detail: microfocus computed tomography (micro-CT).
abstract: Microfocus CT (micro-CT) has traditionally been used in industry and preclinical studies, although it may find new applicability in the routine clinical setting. It can provide high-resolution three-dimensional digital imaging data sets to the same level of detail as microscopic examination without the need for tissue dissection. Micro-CT is already enabling non-invasive detailed internal assessment of various tissue specimens, particularly in breast imaging and early gestational fetal autopsy, not previously possible from more conventional modalities such as MRI or CT. In this review, we discuss the technical aspects behind micro-CT image acquisition, how early work with small animal studies have informed our knowledge of human disease and the imaging performed so far on human tissue specimens. We conclude with potential future clinical applications of this novel and emerging technique.
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Histopathology, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.|2 UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK.
authors.forename: J Ciaran
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Hutchinson
authors.affiliation: 2 UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK.|3 Department of Radiology, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
authors.forename: Susan C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Shelmerdine
authors.affiliation: 2 UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK.|3 Department of Radiology, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
authors.forename: Ian C
authors.initials: IC
authors.lastname: Simcock
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Histopathology, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.|2 UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK.
authors.forename: Neil J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Sebire
authors.affiliation: 2 UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK.|3 Department of Radiology, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
authors.forename: Owen J
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1213-3516
authors.initials: OJ
authors.lastname: Arthurs
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001344:Autopsy / Q000379:methods; D003287:Contrast Media; D005554:Forensic Medicine; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D055114:X-Ray Microtomography / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media