Cerenkov Imaging

Abstract

Cerenkov luminescence (CL) has been used recently in a plethora of medical applications like imaging and therapy with clinically relevant medical isotopes. The range of medical isotopes used is fairly large and expanding. The generation of in vivo light is useful since it circumvents depth limitations for excitation light. Cerenkov luminescence imaging (CLI) is much cheaper in terms of infrastructure than positron emission tomography (PET) and is particularly useful for imaging of superficial structures. Imaging can basically be done using a sensitive camera optimized for low-light conditions, and it has a better resolution than any other nuclear imaging modality. CLI has been shown to effectively diagnose disease with regularly used PET isotope (18F-FDG) in clinical setting. Cerenkov luminescence tomography, Cerenkov luminescence endoscopy, and intraoperative Cerenkov imaging have also been explored with positive conclusions expanding the current range of applications. Cerenkov has also been used to improve PET imaging resolution since the source of both is the radioisotope being used. Smart imaging agents have been designed based on modulation of the Cerenkov signal using small molecules and nanoparticles giving better insight of the tumor biology.

Intraoperative Assessment of Tumor Resection Margins in Breast-Conserving Surgery Using 18F-FDG Cerenkov Luminescence Imaging: A First-in-Human Feasibility Study

“…Recently, it has been discovered that PET imaging agents emit optical photons via a phenomenon called Cerenkov luminescence (7). Cerenkov photons are generated by positrons traveling at superrelativistic speeds in tissue.…”

Multiplexed imaging for diagnosis and therapy

“…Cerenkov luminescence, a phenomenon that occurs when a charged particle temporarily traverses a dielectric medium at super-relativistic phase velocities, can also produce intrinsic in vivo optical contrast via the generation of blue-to-UV-frequency photons [78][79][80] from positron and β-emissions. The resulting Cerenkov Radiation (CR) is detectable with charge-coupled device (CCD) cameras, and the data acquired by PET and Cerenkov luminescence imaging (CLI) are largely in agreement, when light tissue penetration is taken into account.…”

“…The CL of isotopes traditionally used for PET imaging is poor, and the re-use of established PET tracers for CLI is therefore limited. Although frequencies produced in pure CL are heavily attenuated, limiting penetration depth and sensitivity 79,[81][82][83] , it is possible to shift the effective frequency of CLI-probe emission toward the NIR through the incorporation of fluorophores into CLI probes. Herein, characteristic ultraviolet-blue CR is absorbed by a fluorophore and re-emitted at lower NIR-visible frequencies, enhancing tissue penetration and facilitating detection, and therefore increasing the utility of CL in the clinic.…”

15 YEARS OF PARAGANGLIOMA: Imaging and imaging-based treatment of pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma

“…Intraoperative localization of PET-positive lesions can be facilitated using a handheld PET probe and would be of particular interest for reoperative surgery of recurrent PHEOs/PGLs (Das et al 2014).…”