Early clinical applications for imaging at microscopic detail: microfocus computed tomography (micro-CT)

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...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:British journal of radiology 2017-07, Vol.90 (1075), p.20170113-20170113
Main Authors: Hutchinson, J Ciaran, Shelmerdine, Susan C, Simcock, Ian C, Sebire, Neil J, Arthurs, Owen J
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Autopsy - methods
Contrast Media
Forensic Medicine
Humans
Imaging, Three-Dimensional - methods
Paediatric
Review
Sensitivity and Specificity
X-Ray Microtomography - methods
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary: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.
ISSN:0007-1285
1748-880X
DOI:10.1259/bjr.20170113