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.

Three-dimensional modelling and three-dimensional printing in pediatric and congenital cardiac surgery

“…Transfer of specimens in the morphological archives onto digital platform and creation of a virtual museum from clinical data could solve the problem (26). First, specimens are scanned with high-resolution micro-computed tomography (it can achieve a resolution of 10 micrometres) (27,28). Next, digital information is segmented to create 3D virtual models and could be 3D printed in various materials.…”

Novel imaging techniques to study postmortem human fetal anatomy: a systematic review on microfocus-CT and ultra-high-field MRI

“…In most micro-CT systems, the radiation source is fixed with the sample mounted on an adjustable and rotating platform. This allows for the adjustment of the "radiation source-to-sample" and "sample-to-detector" distance, giving improved resolution [11]. The addition of contrast, often referred to as staining, enables high-resolution imaging of soft tissue.…”

High-Resolution Episcopic Microscopy (HREM): Looking Back on 13 Years of Successful Generation of Digital Volume Data of Organic Material for 3D Visualisation and 3D Display

“…In particular, the life sciences had a massive benefit from the availability of novel imaging modalities designed for 3D visualisation of living humans and animals, harvested embryos and tissue samples. Techniques such as single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and positron emission tomography (PET), micro-computed topography (µCT) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) are already used as routine tools for the diagnosis of pathologies in the clinical routine [4][5][6][7][8][9]. Others, such as micromagnetic resonance tomography (µMRI), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and optical projection tomography (OPT), are still restricted to the scientific analysis and characterisation of biological samples [10][11][12][13][14][15][16].…”