Value of micro-CT as an investigative tool for osteochondritis dissecans.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate micro computed tomography (micro-CT) for the assessment of osteochondritis dissecans in comparison with histology.


METHODS
Osteochondritis dissecans lesions of 3 patients were evaluated using micro-CT (0.125 mA, 40 keV, 60 microm slice thickness, 60 microm isotropic resolution, entire sample) and light microscopy (toluidine blue, 3-5 microm slice thickness). The methods were compared regarding preparation time, detectability of tissue types and morphologic features of bone and cartilage.


RESULTS
Non-destructive micro-CT imaging of the entire sample was faster than histologic preparation of a single slice for light microscopy. Morphologic features of bone and cartilage could be imaged in a comparable way to histology. It was not possible to image cells or different tissue types of bone and cartilage with micro-CT.


CONCLUSIONS
Micro-CT is a fast, non-destructive tool that may be a supplement or, if detailed histologic information is not necessary, an alternative to light microscopy for the investigation of osteochondritis dissecans.
D000328:Adult; D035843:Biomedical Research; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010008:Osteochondritis Dissecans / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*