Mouse atlas registration with non-tomographic imaging modalities-a pilot study based on simulation.

PURPOSE: This study investigates methodologies for the estimation of small animal anatomy from non-tomographic modalities, such as planar X-ray projections, optical cameras, and surface scanners. The key goal is to register a digital mouse atlas to a combination of non-tomographic modalities, in order to provide organ-level anatomical references of small animals in 3D. PROCEDURES: A 2D/3D registration method was developed to register the 3D atlas to the combination of non-tomographic imaging modalities. Eleven combinations of three non-tomographic imaging modalities were simulated, and the registration accuracy of each combination was evaluated. RESULTS: Comparing the 11 combinations, the top-view X-ray projection combined with the side-view optical camera yielded the best overall registration accuracy of all organs. The use of a surface scanner improved the registration accuracy of skin, spleen, and kidneys. CONCLUSIONS: The methodologies and evaluation presented in this study should provide helpful information for designing preclinical atlas-based anatomical data acquisition systems.