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Updated: Jul 5, 2026
Micro-CT Imaging and Morphometric Analysis of Mouse Neonatal Brains
Published on: May 19, 2023
3D micro-CT imaging of the postmortem brain
Alex de Crespigny1, Hani Bou-Reslan, Merry C Nishimura
1Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA.
Abstract:
Magnetic resonance microscopy (microMRI) is becoming an important tool for non-destructive analysis of fixed brain tissue. However, unlike MRI, X-ray computed tomography (CT) scans show little native soft tissue contrast. In this paper, we explored the use of contrast enhanced (brains immersion stained in iodinated CT contrast media) micro-CT (microCT) for high resolution 3D imaging of fixed normal and pathological brains, compared to microMRI and standard histopathology. An optimum iodine concentration of 0.27 M resulted in excellent contrast between gray and white matter in normal brain and a wide range of anatomical structures were identified. In glioma bearing mouse brains, there was clear deliniation of tumor margin which closely matched that seen on histopathology sections. microCT tumor volume was strongly correlated with histopathology volume. Our data suggests that microCT image contrast in the immersion-stained brains is related to axonal density and myelin content. Compared to traditional histopathology, our microCT approach is relatively rapid and less labor intensive. In addition, compared to microMRI, microCT is robust and requires much lower equipment and maintenance costs. For simple measurements, such as tumor volume and non-destructive postmortem brain screening, microCT may prove to be a valuable alternative to standard histopathology or microMRI.
Insights
Contrast-enhanced micro-computed tomography (microCT) offers a rapid, cost-effective method for high-resolution 3D brain imaging. This technique provides excellent soft tissue contrast, making it a valuable alternative to microMRI and histopathology for analyzing fixed brain tissue.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Radiology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Magnetic resonance microscopy (microMRI) is a key tool for non-destructive analysis of fixed brain tissue.
- X-ray computed tomography (CT) typically shows limited soft tissue contrast in native states.
- High-resolution 3D imaging of brain tissue requires advanced techniques for detailed analysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore contrast-enhanced micro-CT (microCT) for high-resolution 3D imaging of fixed normal and pathological brains.
- To compare the efficacy of microCT with microMRI and standard histopathology.
- To assess the potential of microCT as an alternative imaging modality for brain tissue analysis.
Main Methods:
- Brains were immersion stained in iodinated CT contrast media for enhanced contrast.
- An optimal iodine concentration of 0.27 M was determined for gray and white matter differentiation.
- MicroCT imaging was performed on normal and glioma-bearing mouse brains, and results were compared to microMRI and histopathology.
Main Results:
- MicroCT achieved excellent contrast between gray and white matter, identifying numerous anatomical structures.
- Clear delineation of tumor margins in glioma-bearing brains closely matched histopathology findings.
- MicroCT-derived tumor volumes showed strong correlation with histopathology volumes, suggesting accuracy in quantification.
Conclusions:
- MicroCT image contrast in stained brains is linked to axonal density and myelin content.
- MicroCT is a relatively rapid and less labor-intensive alternative to histopathology.
- MicroCT offers a robust, cost-effective alternative to microMRI for non-destructive postmortem brain screening and measurements like tumor volume.
