title: Diffraction-enhanced imaging of the rat spine.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Diffraction-enhanced imaging (DEI) uses monochromatic synchrotron X-rays to image tissue. This technique has been shown to produce superior bony and soft tissue characterization when compared with conventional absorption radiography. Application of this imaging modality is under investigation, and this study represents the first DEI analysis of the vertebral column.
  
  
  METHODS
  Four male Wistar rats were studied. Spine muscle blocks were imaged in 3 of the rats after thoracic laminectomy (n = 1), after lumbar laminectomy (n = 1), and in a control condition (n = 1). The fourth rat was imaged as a whole animal control. Conventional radiography and synchrotron-supported DEI at 40 keV were performed on all specimens. We compared images side by side, using a nonvalidated subjective assessment technique.
  
  
  RESULTS
  DEI produced superior visualization of the vertebral anatomy, compared with conventional absorption radiography for all specimens. Greater bony and soft tissue detail was noted, with improved image contrast. In addition to imaging the anatomical structures, DEI showed the polyglactin suture material used for fascial closure in the 2 animals that underwent surgery. Artifact from air bubbles was present on DEI images but not on plain radiographs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This represents the first use of DEI, a novel imaging modality, to image the vertebral column. It provides excellent anatomic detail with superior contrast and visualization of both bone and soft tissue when compared with conventional radiography. Future applications of this investigational technique may include analysis of spinal fusion as well as degenerative and neoplastic conditions of the spine.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Section of Cerebrovascular and Endovascular Neurosurgery, The Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44122, USA. mebkelly@gmail.com
authors.forename: Michael E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Kelly
authors.forename: R Cole
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Beavis
authors.forename: Daryl R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Fourney
authors.forename: Elisabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Schültke
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Parham
authors.forename: Bernhard H J
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Juurlink
authors.forename: Zhong
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zhong
authors.forename: L Dean
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: Chapman
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D008297:Male; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013131:Spine / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction