[Diffraction enhanced imaging of condylar cartilage of osteoarthritic rats].
OBJECTIVE
To observe the images of early lesions of condylar cartilage of osteoarthritic rats in synchrotron radiation diffraction enhanced imaging (DEI).


METHODS
The animal model of temporomandibular joint osteoarthrosis was established in rat following the method of partial resection of the joint disc. The changes of osteoarthritic condylar cartilage in different pathological stages were observed by DEI and compared with those in situ histopathological sections.


RESULTS
With DEI, straight and orbicular lines were detected in condylar cartilage 45 to 60 days after discs resection. The lines were confirmed by histopathology to be collagen degradation and tiny fissure formation inside the cartilage.


CONCLUSIONS
DEI is capable of imaging the early stages of pathological changes of excised condylar cartilage such as collagen degradation and tiny fissure formation, and this technique is of potential value to clinical application.
Cong
Chang-Hong
CH
Department of Engineering Physics, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.
Chen
Zhi-Hua
ZH
Li
Gang
G
Pan
Lin
L
Liu
Ji-Guang
JG
Tang
Jin-Tian
JT
D000818:Animals; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008335:Mandibular Condyle / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D011859:Radiography; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction / Q000379:methods*