Hybrid µCT-FMT imaging and image analysis.

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Imaging
• Molecular Imaging
• Preclinical Research

Background:

• Fluorescence-mediated tomography (FMT) allows longitudinal, quantitative in vivo fluorescence determination.
• Combining FMT with anatomical imaging like micro computed tomography (µCT) enhances image analysis and fluorescence reconstruction.
• Accurate biodistribution assessment is crucial for novel probe development and disease monitoring.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a detailed protocol for multimodal µCT-FMT imaging.
• To outline image processing steps for quantitative measurements.
• To demonstrate the protocol's applicability for biodistribution analysis.

Main Methods:

• Mice preparation and multimodal µCT-FMT imaging acquisition.
• Registration of multimodal datasets and shape-aware fluorescence reconstruction.
• Interactive organ segmentation and batch processing for biodistribution curve generation.

Main Results:

• A robust protocol for multimodal µCT-FMT imaging was established.
• Improved fluorescence reconstruction incorporating mouse shape was achieved.
• Quantitative biodistribution curves were successfully generated and validated using a bone-binding probe.

Conclusions:

• The developed multimodal µCT-FMT protocol provides accurate and quantitative biodistribution data.
• This method is valuable for assessing novel probes and understanding disease progression in vivo.
• The protocol facilitates efficient and precise molecular imaging analysis in preclinical studies.