Micro-computed tomography (µCT) is an established method traditionally used for the nondestructive analysis of three dimensional skeletal structure in small animals or small ex vivo samples at high resolution. Recent advances allow noninvasive in vivo CT imaging of many disease processes, including primary tumor growth, and spread and growth of metastases in lung, bone and other soft tissues. This allows an efficient, cost-effective and non-invasive means for monitoring response to therapeutic agents. Micro-CT imaging of soft tissues can also be facilitated through the use of conventional and developmental radio-opaque contrast agents.

The figure on the left shows µCT images of bone. These images can be used to determine bone density, microstructure and body composition. Skeletal imaging can also be an efficient and non-invasive means for phenotyping. The image to the far left is an anatomical image of a normal mouse hindlimb. The image to the right of that is an anatomical image of a mouse hind paw with syndactyly (birth defect with partial or total webbing connecting two or more digits). The image in the center shows trabecular structure in a rat femur.

Improvements in software have greatly improved volume rendering and enhanced the visualization and quantification of three dimensional micro-CT data. MIR utilizes the latest technology to offer clients publication quality images and quantitative analyses of image data. High quality micro-CT images allow routine screening for abnormalities such as bone malformation and erosion, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Images of rat ankle, control versus a rat with streptococcal cell wall (SCW) induced rheumatoid arthritis. These images highlight the excessive bone remodling that takes place in these models.

Images of soft tissue without the use of contrast agents can highlight abnormalities within the tissue such as tumor metastases and other pathological conditions. Micro-CT is uniquely able to image very small metastases in lung and bone. Growth and response to treatment of these metastases can then be monitored.