Instrumentierung in der präklinischen PET- und SPECT-Bildgebung

Zusammenfassung

Translationale Forschung greift heute mehr denn je in die Praktiken moderner Medizin ein. Im Bereich der tierexperimentellen Forschung, die sich als Brücke zwischen biomedizinischer Grundlagenforschung und klinischer Forschung versteht, stellt die Kleintierbildgebung eines der wichtigsten Forschungsinstrumente dar. Unter den verwendeten bildgebenden Verfahren genießen die PET- und SPECT-Bildgebung das höchste Ansehen, da sie quantitative Informationen über metabolische Prozesse liefern, dynamische Aufnahmen erlauben und geeignet für Längsschnittstudien sind. Hierdurch entstehen vielfältige Perspektiven bei der Entwicklung von Tiermodellen für die Erforschung von Erkrankungen des Menschen; sei es zur Überwachung von Krankheitsverläufen, der Validierung theranostischer Ansätze oder der Erprobung neuer Radiopharmaka. Das stetig steigende Interesse an nicht invasiver Kleintierbildgebung fördert insbesondere auch die Entwicklung dedizierter Bildgebungssysteme. Allen Systemen zur präklinischen Bildgebung ist das Ziel gemein, die Auflösung und Sensitivität auf die Dimensionen der Tiere anzupassen. Dieser Übersichtsartikel bietet Einsicht in die konzeptionellen Grundlagen und technischen Eigenschaften präklinischer PET- und SPECT-Systeme, mit Fokus auf die eingesetzten Detektormaterialien und -technologien, sowie die Detektorkonfiguration. Darüber hinaus werden wichtige Aspekte der Qualitätskontrolle genannt.

Abstract

Translational research is now more than ever gaining relevance in the practices of modern medicine. In the field of animal experimental research, which serves as a bridge between basic biomedical research and clinical research, small animal imaging represents one of the most important research tools. Among the imaging modalities, PET and SPECT are assumed to be the most attractive for providing quantitative information on metabolic processes, allowing for dynamic imaging and being suitable for longitudinal studies. This opens up a variety of perspectives in the development of animal models for human diseases; either for monitoring disease progression, validating theranostic approaches or testing of new radiopharmaceuticals. The ever-increasing interest in non-invasive small animal imaging is also driving the development of dedicated imaging systems. Common to all preclinical imaging systems is the goal of matching resolution and sensitivity to animal dimensions. This review article provides insight into the conceptual basis and technical characteristics of preclinical PET and SPECT systems, with a focus on the detector materials and technologies used, as well as the detector configuration. In addition, important aspects of quality control are mentioned.

Schlüsselwörter

Translationale Forschung - Kleintierbildgebung - Gestaltung - Performance - Positronenemissionstomografie - Einzelphotonenemissionscomputertomografie

Keywords

Translational research - small animal imaging - design - performance - positron emission tomography - single-photon emission tomography

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