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

Figure 5

(a) MIP of an entire mouse kidney and attached adrenal gland (arrow) perfused with the new Er contrast agent. (b) 3D rendering of the perfused kidney with a plane cut to demonstrate an entire intact vascular tree. (c) Magnified 0.35 mm thick slice MIP of the area outlined in red in (a), demonstrating 6-7th level arterial branching. (d) 3D rendering of the terminal arteriole branches, ending in the glomeruli (the kidney’s spherical capillary bed). G: glomeruli; AF: afferent arteriole; EF: efferent arteriole; RA: cruciate radial artery; RV: cruciate radial vein; AA: arcuate artery; AV: arcuate vein; and VR: vasa recta.