高速三维光声扫描更深入探索乳腺癌

　　传统计算机体层扫描（CT）利用X射线对人体横断面进行扫描成像，而光声CT利用脉冲激光照射成像部位转化为热能发生热弹性膨胀而反射超声，可探测到高分辨率超声强度空间分布、反映成像部位光吸收相关病理信息，已被越来越多地用于临床前研究及其临床转化。与纯光学成像（例如荧光成像）相比，可以对深部组织保持较高空间分辨率；与超声成像相比，具有丰富的光学对比，并可避免斑点伪影；与X射线或正电子发射成像相比，不具放射性且非电离辐射；与磁共振成像相比，成本较低、空间分辨率较高。不过，现有光声CT系统的成像深度、速度、质量，限制了该技术被更广泛地应用。

　　2021年2月9日，英国《自然》旗下《自然通讯》在线发表美国国家工程院院士、加州理工学院教授汪立宏等学者的研究报告，开发了一种高速三维光声计算机扫描系统，成像深度较大、各方向分辨率相同、视野可缩放、成像速度较高、影像质量出色，可用于乳腺癌等疾病的临床前研究及其临床转化。

　　三维光声计算机扫描技术可进行多用途成像，揭示小到小鼠大脑、大到人类乳房的生物组织详细血管造影信息。

　　对于大鼠大脑，可以看到整个大脑的脉管系统和血液动态变化。

　　对于人类乳房，通过一次屏气10秒内扫描乳房，即可获得深度达4厘米的体内影像。

　　因此，该研究结果将为临床前研究提供独特工具，并为临床转化奠定重要基础。

Nat Commun. 2021 Feb 9;12(1):882.

High-speed three-dimensional photoacoustic computed tomography for preclinical research and clinical translation.

Li Lin, Peng Hu, Xin Tong, Shuai Na, Rui Cao, Xiaoyun Yuan, David C. Garrett, Junhui Shi, Konstantin Maslov, Lihong V. Wang.

California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA.

Photoacoustic computed tomography (PACT) has generated increasing interest for uses in preclinical research and clinical translation. However, the imaging depth, speed, and quality of existing PACT systems have previously limited the potential applications of this technology. To overcome these issues, we developed a three-dimensional photoacoustic computed tomography (3D-PACT) system that features large imaging depth, scalable field of view with isotropic spatial resolution, high imaging speed, and superior image quality. 3D-PACT allows for multipurpose imaging to reveal detailed angiographic information in biological tissues ranging from the rodent brain to the human breast. In the rat brain, we visualize whole brain vasculatures and hemodynamics. In the human breast, an in vivo imaging depth of 4cm is achieved by scanning the breast within a single breath hold of 10s. Here, we introduce the 3D-PACT system to provide a unique tool for preclinical research and an appealing prototype for clinical translation.

DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-21232-1