TY - JOUR
T1 - The use of nano-computed tomography to enhance musculoskeletal research
AU - Khoury, Basma M.
AU - Bigelow, Erin M.R.
AU - Smith, Lauren M.
AU - Schlecht, Stephen H.
AU - Scheller, Erica L.
AU - Andarawis-Puri, Nelly
AU - Jepsen, Karl J.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2015 Informa Healthcare USA, Inc. All rights reserved: reproduction in whole or part not permitted.
PY - 2015/4/1
Y1 - 2015/4/1
N2 - Advances in computed tomography (CT) imaging are opening new avenues toward more precise characterization and quantification of connective tissue microarchitecture. In the last two decades, micro-computed tomography (microCT) has significantly augmented destructive methods for the 3D micro-analysis of tissue structure, primarily in the bone research field. Recently, microCT has been employed in combination with contrast agents to generate contrast-enhanced images of soft tissues that are otherwise difficult to visualize due to their native radiodensity. More recent advances in CT technology have enabled ultra-high resolution imaging by utilizing a more powerful nano-focused X-ray source, such as that found in nano-computed tomography (nanoCT) systems. NanoCT imaging has facilitated the expansion of musculoskeletal research by reducing acquisition time and significantly expanding the range of samples that can be imaged in terms of size, age and tissue-type (bone, muscle, tendon, cartilage, vessels and adipose tissue). We present the application and early results of nanoCT imaging in various tissue types and how this ultra-high resolution imaging modality is capable of characterizing microstructures at levels of details previously not possible. Contrast-enhanced imaging techniques to enable soft-tissue visualization and characterization are also outlined.
AB - Advances in computed tomography (CT) imaging are opening new avenues toward more precise characterization and quantification of connective tissue microarchitecture. In the last two decades, micro-computed tomography (microCT) has significantly augmented destructive methods for the 3D micro-analysis of tissue structure, primarily in the bone research field. Recently, microCT has been employed in combination with contrast agents to generate contrast-enhanced images of soft tissues that are otherwise difficult to visualize due to their native radiodensity. More recent advances in CT technology have enabled ultra-high resolution imaging by utilizing a more powerful nano-focused X-ray source, such as that found in nano-computed tomography (nanoCT) systems. NanoCT imaging has facilitated the expansion of musculoskeletal research by reducing acquisition time and significantly expanding the range of samples that can be imaged in terms of size, age and tissue-type (bone, muscle, tendon, cartilage, vessels and adipose tissue). We present the application and early results of nanoCT imaging in various tissue types and how this ultra-high resolution imaging modality is capable of characterizing microstructures at levels of details previously not possible. Contrast-enhanced imaging techniques to enable soft-tissue visualization and characterization are also outlined.
KW - Bone
KW - Cellular imaging
KW - Connective tissue imaging
KW - Contrast enhanced-CT
KW - MicroCT
KW - Nano-computed tomography
KW - Vascular imaging
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84926290843&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.3109/03008207.2015.1005211
DO - 10.3109/03008207.2015.1005211
M3 - Article
C2 - 25646568
AN - SCOPUS:84926290843
SN - 0300-8207
VL - 56
SP - 106
EP - 119
JO - Connective Tissue Research
JF - Connective Tissue Research
IS - 2
ER -