title: Diffraction-enhanced imaging of a porcine eye.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Diffraction-enhanced imaging (DEI) is a synchrotron-based x-ray imaging technique that has dramatically improved contrast over standard x-ray imaging techniques. It is possible to acquire images that analyze the x-ray refraction and the apparent absorption (elimination of small-angle scattering) of the object.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three formalin-fixed porcine eyes were studied at the National Synchrotron Light Source using DEI. Conventional absorption-type radiography was conducted for comparison.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Conventional absorption radiography did not yield significant detail of the eye anatomy. DEI showed excellent characterization of many ocular structures. The cornea, iris, lens, retina, optic nerve, as well as choroidal vasculature and the ampullae of the vortex veins could all be visualized.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  DEI represents a novel, high-resolution imaging technique that has excellent characterization of ocular anatomy. Further application of this imaging modality will be undertaken to study cataract and choroidal tumors and to examine ocular surface structures, such as the extraocular muscle insertions, more closely.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Cleveland Clinic, Ohio 44195, USA. kellym@ccf.org
authors.forename: Michael E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Kelly
authors.forename: Dustin J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Coupal
authors.forename: R Cole
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Beavis
authors.forename: Elisabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Schultke
authors.forename: Kenneth
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Romanchuk
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; D005123:Eye / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011859:Radiography; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013552:Swine; D017356:Synchrotrons; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction / Q000295:instrumentation*