Bone structure and mineralization demonstrated using synchrotron radiation computed tomography (SR-CT) in animal models: preliminary findings

• Published in: Journal of bone and mineral metabolism Vol. 21; no. 5; pp. 287 - 293
• Main Authors: ITO, Masako, EJIRI, Sadakazu, JINNAI, Hiroshi, KONO, Jun, IKEDA, Satoshi, NISHIDA, Akifumi, UESUGI, Kentaro, YAGI, Naoto, TANAKA, Mikako, HAYASHI, Kuniaki
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Tokyo Springer 01.01.2003; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Bone and Bones - diagnostic imaging; Bones; Calcification, Physiologic; Female; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Medical sciences; Models, Animal; Osteoarticular system. Muscles; Radiation; Radiodiagnosis. Nmr imagery. Nmr spectrometry; Rats; Scanning electron microscopy; Spine - diagnostic imaging; Synchrotrons; Tibia - diagnostic imaging; Tomography; Tomography, X-Ray Computed - methods; Animal model; Rat; Rodentia; Diseases of the osteoarticular system; Vertebra; Bone disease; Experimental study; Osteoarticular system; Osteoporosis; Vertebrata; Mammalia; Mineralization; Computerized axial tomography; Diagnosis; Bone; Technique; Microstructure; Synchrotron radiation; Quantitative analysis
• ISSN: 0914-8779; 1435-5604
• DOI: 10.1007/s00774-003-0422-x

We investigated the ability of synchrotron radiation computed tomography (SR-CT) to demonstrate trabecular microstructure, detail of trabecular surfaces, and mineralization of bones. Eight rat vertebrae, six rat tibiae, and eight minipig vertebrae were scanned using SR-CT at the synchrotron radiation facility Super Photon ring-8GeV (SPring-8). Images obtained using conventional micro-CT, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and contact microradiography (CMR) were compared with the SR-CT images. SR-CT showed high image quality without visible partial volume effect. Three-dimensional SR-CT revealed shallow concavities in the bone surface, which were considered to correspond to osteoclastic resorption areas, as well as the connectivity, anisotropy, and shape (rod- or platelike) of trabeculae. Two-dimensional SR-CT showed different density along the surface of the trabecular bone, indicating the degree of bone mineralization. In conclusion, SR-CT seems to be a useful tool for delineating trabecular surfaces, evaluating bone mineralization, and revealing precise trabecular structure.