Isotropic Imaging Research Articles

Three-dimensional oxygen-enhanced MRI of the human lung at 1.5T with ultra-fast balanced steady-state free precession.

To assess the feasibility of 3D oxygen-enhanced (OE) MRI of the lung at 1.5T using multi-volumetric ultra-fast balanced steady-state free precession (ufSSFP) acquisitions. Isotropic imaging of the lung for OE-MRI was performed with an adapted 3D ufSSFP sequence using five breath-hold acquisitions ranging from functional residual capacity to tidal inspiration under both normoxic (room air) and hyperoxic (100% O2 ) gas conditions. For each O2 concentration, a sponge model (which captures the parenchymal signal intensity variation as a function of the lung volume) was fitted to the acquired multi-volumetric datasets after semiautomatic lung segmentation and deformable image registration. From the retrieved model parameters, 3D oxygen-enhancement maps were calculated. For OE ufSSFP imaging, the maximum parenchymal signal is observed for flip angles around 23° under both normoxic and hyperoxic conditions. It is found that the sponge model accurately describes parenchymal signal at different breathing positions, thereby mitigating the confounding bias in the estimated oxygen enhancement from residual density modulations. From the model, an average lung oxygen enhancement of 7.0% ± 0.3% was found in the healthy volunteers, and the oxygen-enhancement maps indicate a ventral to dorsal gravitation-related gradient. The study demonstrates the feasibility of whole-lung OE-MRI from multi-volumetric ufSSFP in healthy volunteers. Magn Reson Med 79:246-255, 2018. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.

High-resolution MRI of the ulnar and radial collateral ligaments of the wrist.

Background Accurate diagnosis of injuries to the collateral ligaments of the wrist is technically challenging on MRI. Purpose To investigate usefulness of high-resolution two-dimensional (2D) and isotropic three-dimensional (3D) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for identifying and classifying the morphology of the ulnar and radial collateral ligaments (UCL and RCL) of the wrist. Material and Methods Thirty-seven participants were evaluated using 3T coronal 2D and isotropic 3D images by two radiologists independently. The UCL was classified into four types: 1a, narrow attachment to the tip of the ulnar styloid (Tip); 1b, broad attachment to the Tip; 2a, narrow attachment to the medial base of the ulnar styloid (Base); and 2b, broad attachment to the Base. The RCL was also classified into four types: 1a, separate radioscaphoid and scaphotrapezial ligaments (RS + ST) with narrow scaphoid attachment; 1b, RS + ST with broad scaphoid attachment; 2a, continuous radio-scapho-trapezial ligaments (RST) with narrow scaphoid attachment; and 2b, RST with broad scaphoid attachment. The inter-observer reliability of these classifications was calculated. Results Type 1a was the most common of both collateral ligaments. Of UCL classifications, 31.4% were revised after additional review of multiplanar reconstruction (MPR) images from isotropic data. The inter-observer reliability of UCL classification was substantial (k = 0.62) without MPR, and almost perfect (k = 0.84) with MPR. The inter-observer reliability of RCL classification was almost perfect (k = 0.89). Anatomic delineation between the two sequences was not statistically different. Conclusion The UCL and RCL were each identified on high-resolution 2D and isotropic 3D MRI equally well. MPR allows accurate identification of the UCL attachment to the ulnar styloid.

Thin isotropic FLAIR MR images at 1.5T increase the yield of focal cortical dysplasia transmantle sign detection in frontal lobe epilepsy

ObjectiveThe transmantle sign is a distinctive imaging marker of focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) type II in frontal lobe epilepsy (FLE), which is revealed predominantly by fluid-attenuation inversion recovery (FLAIR) sequences. Although the transmantle sign detection yield is high by routine imaging protocols for epilepsy at 3T, most centers around the world have access to 1.5T MR technology and FLE patients often receive negative imaging reports. This study investigates the optimization of transmantle detection yield at 1.5T by introducing a 3D thin-slice isotropic FLAIR sequence in the epilepsy imaging protocol. MethodsTwenty FLE patients underwent diagnostic imaging for epilepsy with typical 2D thick-slice (3.0mm) coronal FLAIR sequences and a 3D thin-slice (1.0mm) isotropic FLAIR sequences at 1.5T, and transmantle sign detection yields and thickness measurements were derived. ResultsThe 2D thick-slice FLAIR detected a transmantle sign in seven (35.0%) patients. The 3D isotropic thin-slice FLAIR detected a transmantle sign in eleven (55.0%) patients, thereby increasing the transmantle sign detection yield by 57.4%. The mean transmantle sign thickness by thick images was 12.3mm, by thin images was 8.9mm, and in the patients undetected by thick FLAIR was 3.5mm. SignificanceThis study showed that the extratemporal transmantle sign in FLE patients can be thin enough to be missed by thick-slice FLAIR sequences at 1.5T. By introducing 3D thin-slice isotropic FLAIR, false-negative reports can be reduced without reference for higher MR field structural scanning or other modalities, and more FLE patients can benefit from epilepsy surgery candidacy.

Imaging and T2 relaxometry of short-T2 connective tissues in the knee using ultrashort echo-time double-echo steady-state (UTEDESS).

To develop a radial, double-echo steady-state (DESS) sequence with ultra-short echo-time (UTE) capabilities for T2 measurement of short-T2 tissues along with simultaneous rapid, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR)-efficient, and high-isotropic-resolution morphological knee imaging. THe 3D radial UTE readouts were incorporated into DESS, termed UTEDESS. Multiple-echo-time UTEDESS was used for performing T2 relaxometry for short-T2 tendons, ligaments, and menisci; and for Dixon water-fat imaging. In vivo T2 estimate repeatability and SNR efficiency for UTEDESS and Cartesian DESS were compared. The impact of coil combination methods on short-T2 measurements was evaluated by means of simulations. UTEDESS T2 measurements were compared with T2 measurements from Cartesian DESS, multi-echo spin-echo (MESE), and fast spin-echo (FSE). UTEDESS produced isotropic resolution images with high SNR efficiency in all short-T2 tissues. Simulations and experiments demonstrated that sum-of-squares coil combinations overestimated short-T2 measurements. UTEDESS measurements of meniscal T2 were comparable to DESS, MESE, and FSE measurements while the tendon and ligament measurements were less biased than those from Cartesian DESS. Average UTEDESS T2 repeatability variation was under 10% in all tissues. The T2 measurements of short-T2 tissues and high-resolution morphological imaging provided by UTEDESS makes it promising for studying the whole knee, both in routine clinical examinations and longitudinal studies. Magn Reson Med 78:2136-2148, 2017. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.

Rapid chemical shift encoding with single-acquisition single-slab 3D GRASE.

To investigate the feasibility of chemical shift encoded, single-slab 3D GRASE for rapid fat-water separation within a single acquisition. The proposed method incorporates signal-to-noise-ratio-optimal chemical shift encoding into single-slab 3D GRASE with variable flip angles. Chemical shift induced phase information was encoded in succession to different positions in k-space by inserting phase encoding blips between adjacent lobes of the oscillating readout gradients. To enhance imaging efficiency, signal prescription-based variable flip angles were used in the long refocusing pulse train. After echo-independent phase correction, missing signals in k-echo space were interpolated using convolution kernels that span over all echoes. Fat-water separation in a single acquisition was performed using both multi-echo fast spin echo and GRASE as compared to conventional multiacquisition fast spin echo with echo shifts. The proposed single-slab 3D GRASE shows superior performance in accurately delineating cartilage structures compared to its counterpart, multi-echo 3D fast spin echo. Compared with multiacquisition fast spin echo with three echo shifts (63 min), the proposed method substantially speeds up imaging time (7 min), and achieves 0.6 mm isotropic resolution in knee imaging with reduced artifacts and noise. We successfully demonstrated the feasibility of rapid chemical shift encoding and separation using the proposed, single-acquisition single-slab 3D GRASE for high resolution isotropic imaging within clinically acceptable time. Magn Reson Med 78:1852-1861, 2017. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.

Analysis of reconstruction performance of magnetic resonance conductivity tensor imaging (MRCTI) using simulated measurements

Magnetic resonance conductivity tensor imaging (MRCTI) was proposed recently to produce electrical conductivity images of anisotropic tissues. Similar to magnetic resonance electrical impedance tomography (MREIT), MRCTI uses magnetic field and boundary potential measurements obtained utilizing magnetic resonance imaging techniques. MRCTI reconstructs tensor images of anisotropic conductivity whereas MREIT reconstructs isotropic conductivity images. In this study, spatial resolution and linearity of five recently proposed MRCTI algorithms are evaluated using simulated measurements gathered from three different computer models. The results show that all five algorithms have quite similar reconstruction performances. Since the AB$_{z}$S algorithm is easier to apply compared to the other four algorithms it can be said to be the best algorithm among the five algorithms.

Diagnostic performance of reformatted isotropic thin-section helical CT images in the detection of superior semicircular canal dehiscence.

Purpose The purpose of this article is to assess the diagnostic performance of computed tomography (CT) reformatted images for detection of superior semicircular canal (SSC) dehiscence. Material and methods Forty-two patients, with sound- and/or pressure-induced vestibular symptoms, and 42 control participants underwent helical CT examination with a highly collimated beam (0.5 mm). Reformatted images of the vestibular labyrinth were obtained in the standard axial and coronal planes (group A images), and in a plane parallel and perpendicular to the SSC (group B images). Diagnostic performance obtained by evaluating the group A images alone and the group B images alone was analyzed by using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). Results The diagnostic performance of group A images was AUC = 0.929 with an overall accuracy of 92.9%. The diagnostic performance of group B images was AUC = 0.988 with an overall accuracy of 98.8%. The evaluation of group B images alone showed an improved diagnostic performance over the group A images alone. Conclusion Thin-section 0.5-mm collimation CT with reformatted images oriented in the plane parallel and perpendicular to the SSC improves diagnostic accuracy in assessing for SSC dehiscence in comparison to CT images with reconstructions limited to traditional axial and coronal planes.

Isotropic periodic sum for multipole interactions and a vector relation for calculation of the Cartesian multipole tensor.

Isotropic periodic sum (IPS) is a method to calculate long-range interactions based on the homogeneity of simulation systems. By using the isotropic periodic images of a local region to represent remote structures, long-range interactions become a function of the local conformation. This function is called the IPS potential; it folds long-ranged interactions into a short-ranged potential and can be calculated as efficiently as a cutoff method. It has been demonstrated that the IPS method produces consistent simulation results, including free energies, as the particle mesh Ewald (PME) method. By introducing the multipole homogeneous background approximation, this work derives multipole IPS potentials, abbreviated as IPSMm, with m being the maximum order of multipole interactions. To efficiently calculate the multipole interactions in Cartesian space, we propose a vector relation that calculates a multipole tensor as a dot product of a radial potential vector and a directional vector. Using model systems with charges, dipoles, and/or quadrupoles, with and without polarizability, we demonstrate that multipole interactions of order m can be described accurately with the multipole IPS potential of order 2 or m - 1, whichever is higher. Through simulations with the multipole IPS potentials, we examined energetic, structural, and dynamic properties of the model systems and demonstrated that the multipole IPS potentials produce very similar results as PME with a local region radius (cutoff distance) as small as 6 Å.

Image edge enhancement using Airy spiral phase filter.

The isotropic and anisotropic image edge enhancements by employing Airy spiral phase filters are proposed and demonstrated. The coherent spread functions of the image systems are derived from transmittance functions of their corresponding filters. In the isotropic method, the distributions of the coherent spread function with the radius of the main ring ρ0 and the scaled parameter w0 are numerically analyzed. It is found that the width of the main lobe determining the resolution decreases with the increased ρ0, and the amplitudes of the side lobes connecting with the contrast fluctuate with w0. Compared with the existing spiral phase filters, higher contrast and resolution can be achieved by adjusting the two parameters in the Airy spiral phase filter. Moreover, an off-axis Airy spiral phase filter by controlling the center position (ρ0,ϕ1) is designed and employed to implement anisotropic edge enhancement. In the experiments, two methods of image edge enhancement have been verified by using the amplitude-contrast and phase-contrast objects.

Delineation Variability of Head and Neck Organs at Risk on T1-Weighted Isotropic Magnetic Resonance Images: A Pilot Study on Healthy Volunteers

Delineation Variability of Head and Neck Organs at Risk on T1-Weighted Isotropic Magnetic Resonance Images: A Pilot Study on Healthy Volunteers

Brain atlas fusion from high-thickness diagnostic magnetic resonance images by learning-based super-resolution

It is fundamentally important to fuse the brain atlas from magnetic resonance (MR) images for many imaging-based studies. Most existing works focus on fusing the atlases from high-quality MR images. However, for low-quality diagnostic images (i.e., with high inter-slice thickness), the problem of atlas fusion has not been addressed yet. In this paper, we intend to fuse the brain atlas from the high-thickness diagnostic MR images that are prevalent for clinical routines. The main idea of our works is to extend the conventional groupwise registration by incorporating a novel super-resolution strategy. The contribution of the proposed super-resolution framework is two-fold. First, each high-thickness subject image is reconstructed to be isotropic by the patch-based sparsity learning. Then, the reconstructed isotropic image is enhanced for better quality through the random-forest-based regression model. In this way, the images obtained by the super-resolution strategy can be fused together by applying the groupwise registration method to construct the required atlas. Our experiments have shown that the proposed framework can effectively solve the problem of atlas fusion from the low-quality brain MR images.

πSPIM: high NA high resolution isotropic light-sheet imaging in cell culture dishes.

Light-sheet fluorescence microscopy (LSFM), also termed single plane illumination microscopy (SPIM), enables live cell fluorescence imaging with optical sectioning capabilities superior to confocal microscopy and without any out-of-focus exposure of the specimen. However, the need of two objective lenses, one for light-sheet illumination and one for imaging, imposes geometrical constraints that require LSFM setups to be adapted to the specific needs of different types of specimen in order to obtain optimal imaging conditions. Here we demonstrate the use of an oblique light-sheet configuration adapted to provide the highest possible Gaussian beam enabled resolution in LSFM. The oblique light-sheet configuration furthermore enables LSFM imaging at the surface of a cover slip, without the need of specific sample mounting. In addition, the system is compatible with simultaneous high NA wide-field epi-fluorescence imaging of the specimen contained in a glass-bottom cell culture dish. This prevents cumbersome sample mounting and enables rapid screening of large areas of the specimen followed by high-resolution LSFM imaging of selected cells. We demonstrate the application of this microscope for in toto imaging of endocytosis in yeast, showing for the first time imaging of all endocytic events of a given cell over a period of >5 minutes with sub-second resolution.

Geophysics Bright Spots

An explosion of Bright Spots illuminate the July–August issue of Geophysics. In this issue, we learn an efficient technique for up/down and P/S elastic wavefield separation in reverse time migration (RTM) that yields more accurate Poynting vectors while suppressing RTM artifacts. We see the derivation of an efficient formula for correlative least squares in RTM. We learn about a Q-compensated RTM with one-step wave extrapolation. We are introduced to a new approach to isotropic elastic wavefield imaging using an energy norm. We also see the derivation of a seismoelectric Green's function for homogeneous media. We learn a new method by which P- and S-wave velocities are extracted via surface-wave multimodal inversion. We also learn about a new method for finding the relative location of microseismic events with multiple master events, and we see how to apply frequency cycling for the compensation for undesired off-resonance effects in surface nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR).

Regional differences in interhemispheric structural fibers in healthy, term infants.

Using fiber tracking we investigated the early interhemispheric to cortical development by segmenting the corpus callosum (CC) in five substructures, genu, rostrum, body, isthmus, and splenium, and to examine gender differences in healthy, term neonates. Twenty neonates (11 boys aged 39 ± 2 days, nine girls aged 39 ± 1 days) were scanned in natural sleep with diffusion tensor imging and 35 gradient directions. Fiber tracking was performed using the FACT algorithm. The CC was segments in five substructures on midsagittal imaging. The fiber axial and radial diffusion were measured along with apparent diffusion coefficient and fractional anisotropy. Volume measures were performed for each of these substructures using high-resolution isotropic 3D T1-weighted images. Radial and mean diffusivity in all measured interhemispheric connections were significantly higher in male newborn infants than in female. Second, a gender-dependent regional difference of the measured interhemispheric connections exists. There was no volume difference between boys and girls in any of the five studied sudsubstructures. In addition there was no association between macrostructural and microstructural differences either in boys or girls. The cytoarchitecture and the integrity of the interhemispheric fibers is more developed in female infants in all subdivisions of the CC, except for the isthmus. This might result from a larger axonal diameter, highly packed fibers, or more well-developed myelin sheath. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Using three-dimensional isotropic SPACE MRI to detect posterolateral corner injury of the knee.

Reliable magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) diagnosis is important in cases of posterolateral corner (PLC) injury due to the limitations of physical examination in patients with multi-ligament injury. To document the appearance of PLC of the knee on three-dimensional (3D) isotropic MR images, and to determine the significance of MRI findings in patients with confirmed posterolateral rotatory instability. Twenty-five patients that underwent surgery for posterolateral instability, and 25 individuals with normal MRI constituted the study cohort. The PLC appearances (popliteofibular, fabellofibular, arcuate ligaments, popliteomeniscal fascicle) were analyzed using 3D isotropic proton density sequence and routine two-dimensional (2D) MRI. In addition, the "fibular cap" sign was evaluated. Statistical analysis was performed using the Chi-square and McNemar's tests. Thickening of popliteofibular, fabellofibular, arcuate ligaments, and popliteomeniscal fascicle was significantly more frequent in the PLC injury group than in the control group (P < 0.05). The sensitivity and specificity of 3D MRI for popliteofibular, fabellofibular, arcuate ligaments, and popliteomeniscal fascicle injury were 63/92%, 54/100%, 46/100%, and 58/92%, respectively. On comparing 3D and 2D images with respect to injury detectability (grade 3 or 4), both modalities visualized injuries, but 3D detected grade 3 or grade 1 rather than grade 4 or 0, respectively. The fibular cap sign was observed significantly more frequently in PLC group, with 58% sensitivity and 100% specificity, and was better observed by 3D than 2D (P < 0.05). 3D MRI is a valid modality for detecting PLC abnormalities as it visualizes pathologies in each component and exhibits the positive fibular cap sign.

3D MR Neurography of the Lumbosacral Plexus: Obtaining Optimal Images for Selective Longitudinal Nerve Depiction.

The number of centers currently performing 3D fat-suppressed isotropic imaging is limited. If the angular orientations of the major lumbosacral plexus nerves on 3D isotropic MR neurography could be determined, similar planes could be prescribed during acquisition of 2D or 3D nonisotropic techniques for optimal depiction of various nerves. Our aim was to determine oblique sagittal and coronal angular measurements for longitudinal depiction of lumbosacral plexus nerves. Interobserver and intraobserver performance and mean calibers of sciatic and femoral nerves were also determined. A consecutive series of lumbosacral plexus MR neurography examinations with 3D nerve-selective imaging performed during a 10-month period on a 3T scanner were evaluated. Two observers performed reconstructions and angular measurements. Sciatic and femoral nerve diameters were measured. Descriptive statistics and intraclass correlation coefficient correlations were used. There were 52 subjects, 11 men and 41 women. Mean sagittal thecal sac angles for coronal demonstration of lumbosacral plexus nerve roots from L1 to S1 for 2 independent observers measured 13.58° ± 2.87° and 13.61° ± 2.18°. Mean sagittal femoral nerve angles were 27.78° ± 4.81° and 28.94° ± 4.49°, and mean sagittal sciatic nerve angles were -10.7° ± 3.75° and -11.82° ± 2.87°. Coronal angular measurements of the femoral and sciatic nerves were similar. The intraclass correlation coefficient was moderate (0.582-0.671) for interobserver performance. For intraobserver performance among various angular measurements, the intraclass correlation coefficient was moderate to good (0.586-0.788). Femoral nerve caliber on MR imaging was almost half that of the sciatic nerve. Mean right femoral nerve thickness was 4.52 ± 1.11 mm and 4.85 ± 0.64 mm for the 2 observers, and mean left femoral nerve thickness was 4.48 ± 0.97 mm and 4.94 ± 0.57 mm. Mean right sciatic nerve thickness was 9.71 ± 1.76 mm and 9.94 ± 0.83 mm, and mean left sciatic nerve thickness was 10.03 ± 1.71 mm and 9.98 ± 0.99 mm. Angular lumbosacral plexus measurements aid in the prescription of different planes on MR imaging for the optimal longitudinal demonstration of nerves.

Feasibility of self-gated isotropic radial late-phase MR imaging of the liver.

To evaluate feasibility of a 3D-isotropic self-gated radial volumetric interpolated breath-hold examination (VIBE) for late-phase MRI of the liver. 70 patients were included and underwent liver MRI at 1.5T. Depending on the diagnosis, either Gd-EOB-DTPA (35 patients) or gadobutrol (35 patients) were administered. During late (gadobutrol) or hepatocyte-specific phase (Gd-EOB-DTPA), a radial prototype sequence was acquired and reconstructed using (1) self-gating with 40% acceptance (rVIBE40); (2) with 100% acceptance of the data (rVIBE100) and compared to Cartesian VIBE (cVIBE). Images were assessed qualitatively (image quality, lesion conspicuity, artefacts; 5-point Likert-scale: 5 = excellent; two independent readers) and quantitatively (coefficient-of-variation (CV); contrast-ratio) in axial and coronal reformations. In eight cases only rVIBE provided diagnostic image quality. Image quality of rVIBE40 was rated significantly superior (p < 0.05) in Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced and coronal reformatted examinations as compared to cVIBE. Lesion conspicuity was significantly improved (p < 0.05) in coronal reformatted Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced rVIBE40 in comparison to cVIBE. CV was higher in rVIBE40 as compared to rVIBE100/cVIBE (p < 0.01). Gadobutrol-enhanced rVIBE40 and cVIBE showed higher contrast-ratios than rVIBE100 (p < 0.001), whereas no differences were found in Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced examinations. Self-gated 3D-isotropic rVIBE provides significantly superior image quality compared to cVIBE, especially in multiplanar reformatted and Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced examinations. • Radial VIBE acquisition reduces motion artefacts. • Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced scans provide improved image quality. • Non-diagnostic liver MRI examinations may be reduced by radial k-spaces sampling.

Equivalent well-cell radius for hexagonal K-orthogonal grids in numerical reservoir simulation

Peaceman’s equivalent well-cell radius for 2D Cartesian grids has been generalized to 2D uniform hexagonal K -orthogonal grids in an anisotropic medium. An analytical expression for the equivalent well-cell radius for infinitely fine grids is derived. The derivation is based on a transformation to an isotropic image space and the solution of the pressure equation in this space.

Anisotropic tomography of the European lithospheric structure from surface wave studies

AbstractWe present continental‐scale seismic isotropic and anisotropic imaging of shear wave upper‐mantle structure of tectonically diversified terranes creating the European continent. Taking into account the 36–200 s period range of surface waves enables us to model the deep subcontinental structure at different vertical scale‐lengths down to 300 km. After very strict quality selection criteria, we have obtained phase wave speeds at different periods for fundamental Rayleigh and Love modes from about 9000 three‐component seismograms. Dispersion measurements are performed by using Fourier‐domain waveform inversion technique named “roller‐coaster‐type” algorithm. We used the reference model with a varying average crustal structure for each source‐station path. That procedure led to significant improvement of the quality and number of phase wave speed dispersion measurements compared to the common approach of using a reference model with one average crustal structure. Surface wave dispersion data are inverted at depth for retrieving isotropy and anisotropy parameters. The fast axis directions related to azimuthal anisotropy at different depths constitute a rich database for geodynamical interpretations. Shear wave anomalies of the horizontal dimension larger than 200 km are imaged in our models. They correlate with tectonic provinces of varying age‐provenance. Different anisotropy patterns are observed along the most distinctive feature on our maps–the bordering zone between the Palaeozoic and Precambrian Europe. We discuss the depth changes of the lithosphere‐asthenosphere boundary along the profiles crossing the chosen tectonic units of different origin and age: Fennoscandia, East European Craton, Anatolia, Mediterranean subduction zones. Within the flat and stable cratonic lithosphere, we find traces of the midlithospheric discontinuity.

Development of a protocol to quantify local bone adaptation over space and time: Quantification of reproducibility

In vivo micro-computed tomography (µCT) scanning of small rodents is a powerful method for longitudinal monitoring of bone adaptation. However, the life-time bone growth in small rodents makes it a challenge to quantify local bone adaptation. Therefore, the aim of this study was to develop a protocol, which can take into account large bone growth, to quantify local bone adaptations over space and time. The entire right tibiae of eight 14-week-old C57BL/6J female mice were consecutively scanned four times in an in vivo µCT scanner using a nominal isotropic image voxel size of 10.4µm. The repeated scan image datasets were aligned to the corresponding baseline (first) scan image dataset using rigid registration. 80% of tibia length (starting from the endpoint of the proximal growth plate) was selected as the volume of interest and partitioned into 40 regions along the tibial long axis (10 divisions) and in the cross-section (4 sectors). The bone mineral content (BMC) was used to quantify bone adaptation and was calculated in each region. All local BMCs have precision errors (PE%CV) of less than 3.5% (24 out of 40 regions have PE%CV of less than 2%), least significant changes (LSCs) of less than 3.8%, and 38 out of 40 regions have intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) of over 0.8. The proposed protocol allows to quantify local bone adaptations over an entire tibia in longitudinal studies, with a high reproducibility, an essential requirement to reduce the number of animals to achieve the necessary statistical power.