Erbium-Based Perfusion Contrast Agent for Small-Animal Microvessel Imaging

Figure 4

Multiplanar reformatted images at 40 m, resulting from 2 × 2 rebinning of 20 m acquired micro-CT scans, clearly depict the ability to visualize the extent of the nutrient arteries, which run along the tibia and femur. Red arrows highlight the nutrient arteries in cross-section in (a) and along their entire length in (b). At this resolution the depiction of parallel arteries and veins (yellow arrows) indicates successful perfusion through the capillary network. The ability to visualize vessels as they pass through a foramen (green arrows) into bone is depicted in (c).

(a)

(b)

(c)