Objective:  Cerenkov Luminescence Imaging (CLI) has been introduced to be an emerging new molecular imaging modality for advantages such as relatively inexpensive, easy-to-use and high throughput. CLI is evaluated for its potential to enable molecular image-guided surgery. In this study, we investigate the feasibility of Cerenkov Luminescence Endoscopy (CLE) using newly developed fiber-based Cerenkov imaging system to indicate the presence of tumor tissue.Methods:  An optical fiber bundle was coupled to a sensitive optical camera. The sensitivity of the customized system was determined by imaging [18F]FDG in a black well-plate in a dark-box. The resolution of Cerenkov endoscopy is compared to white-light imaging by imaging a commercial SPECT phantom filled with [18F]FDG. Finally, mice bearing C6 glioma tumors were injected intravenously to determine imaging feasibility in tissue. Before and after surgical removal of the tumors, CLI was performed on the mice using the fiber-based imaging system and compared to a commercial optical imaging system.Results:  Sensitivity of this prototype was found to be ~ 37 KBq (1 �Ci). The three smallest sets of cylindrical holes in the SPECT phantom were identifiable via this system, demonstrating resolution of this system to be better than 1.2 mm. Finally, the in vivo tumor imaging study demonstrated the feasibility of using CLI to guide the resection of tumor tissues.Conclusions:  This study explored the feasibility of using fiber-based CLE for the detection of tumor tissue in vivo for guided surgery. With further improvements of more sensitive instrumentation, it is expected to bring CLE technique into the clinical applications in the near future.

Fiber-based system for imaging tumor margins with Cerenkov Luminescence

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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