Phase contrast X-ray imaging for the non-invasive detection of airway surfaces and lumen characteristics in mouse models of airway disease.
Eur J Radiol
; 68(3 Suppl): S22-6, 2008 Dec.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-18599234
ABSTRACT
We seek to establish non-invasive imaging able to detect and measure aspects of the biology and physiology of surface fluids present on airways, in order to develop novel outcome measures able to validate the success of proposed genetic or pharmaceutical therapies for cystic fibrosis (CF) airway disease. Reduction of the thin airway surface liquid (ASL) is thought to be a central pathophysiological process in CF, causing reduced mucociliary clearance that supports ongoing infection and destruction of lung and airways. Current outcome measures in animal models, or humans, are insensitive to the small changes in ASL depth that ought to accompany successful airway therapies. Using phase contrast X-ray imaging (PCXI), we have directly examined the airway surfaces in the nasal airways and tracheas of anaesthetised mice, currently to a resolution of approximately 2 microm. We have also achieved high resolution three-dimensional (3D) imaging of the small airways in mice using phase-contrast enhanced computed tomography (PC-CT) to elucidate the structure-function relationships produced by airway disease. As the resolution of these techniques improves they may permit non-invasive monitoring of changes in ASL depth with therapeutic intervention, and the use of 3D airway and imaging in monitoring of lung health and disease. Phase contrast imaging of airway surfaces has promise for diagnostic and monitoring options in animal models of CF, and the potential for future human airway imaging methodologies is also apparent.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Refractometry
/
Tomography, X-Ray Computed
/
Synchrotrons
/
Cystic Fibrosis
/
Disease Models, Animal
/
Lung
Type of study:
Diagnostic_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
Limits:
Animals
/
Humans
Language:
En
Journal:
Eur J Radiol
Year:
2008
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Australia