Simultaneous positron emission tomography and ultrafast ultrasound for hybrid molecular, anatomical and functional imaging

Nat Biomed Eng. 2018 Feb;2(2):85-94. doi: 10.1038/s41551-018-0188-z. Epub 2018 Feb 6.

Abstract

Positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) is the most sensitive molecular imaging modality, but it does not easily allow for rapid temporal acquisition. Ultrafast ultrasound imaging (UUI)-a recently introduced technology based on ultrasonic holography-leverages frame rates of up to several thousand images per second to quantitatively map, at high resolution, haemodynamic, biomechanical, electrophysiological and structural parameters. Here, we describe a pre-clinical scanner that registers PET-CT and UUI volumes acquired simultaneously and offers multiple combinations for imaging. We demonstrate that PET-CT-UUI allows for simultaneous images of the vasculature and metabolism during tumour growth in mice and rats, as well as for synchronized multi-modal cardiac cine-loops. Combined anatomical, functional and molecular imaging with PET-CT-UUI represents a high-performance and clinically translatable technology for biomedical research.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cricetinae
  • Female
  • Glucose / metabolism
  • Heart / anatomy & histology
  • Heart / diagnostic imaging
  • Mice
  • Myocardium / metabolism
  • Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Phenotype
  • Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Ultrasonography*

Substances

  • Glucose