title: Value and limits of μ-CT for nondemineralized bone tissue processing.
abstract: An experimental approach was performed on 20 giant rabbits to establish the possibilities and limitations of μ-CT for routine processing of nondemineralized bone tissue. Hydroxyapatite (HA) or β-tricalciumphosphate (β-TCP) bead implants or a melange of both, microchambered and solid, were implanted into a standardized and precise defect in the patellar groove. The bone-healing phase was chosen for the histology considering 1 or 2 days, and 2, 3, and 6 weeks. Normal X-ray and μ-CT were applied on all specimens; five specimens in the 6-week stage were additionally processed according to the full range of conventional nondemineralized bone processing methods. μ-CT increased the possibilities of nondemineralized histology with respect to bone morphometry and a complete sequence of sections, thus providing a complete analysis of the bone response. μ-CT was limited in differentiating bone quality, cell analyses, and mineralization stages. The investigation based on normal X-rays is limited to defining integration and excluding the fibrous and bony encapsulation of loose implants. μ-CT allows a 3D evaluation of newly formed bone which is clearly marked against the ceramic implant. It does not allow, however, for the differentiation between woven and lamellar bone, the presentation of the canalicular lacunar system, or on the cell level, revealing canaliculi or details of the mineralization process which can be documented by high-resolution microradiography. Titer dynamics of bone formation remains the domain of polychromatic sequential labeling. The complete sequence of μ-CT slices enhances the possibilities for routine histology, tremendously allowing to the focus on detail histology to topographically well-defined cuts, thus providing more precise conclusions which take into consideration the whole implant.
authors.affiliation: Clinic for Restorative Dentistry and Periodontology, Ludwig-Maximilian University of Munich, Goethestrasse 70, 80336 Munich, Germany. mdraener@dent.med.uni-muenchen.de
authors.forename: Miriam Esther
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Draenert
authors.forename: Alice Irène
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Draenert
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Forriol
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cerler
authors.forename: Karl-Heinz
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Kunzelmann
authors.forename: Reinhard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hickel
authors.forename: Klaus
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Draenert
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001861:Bone Regeneration / Q000502:physiology*; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries / Q000473:pathology* / Q000502:physiology; D002113:Calcification, Physiologic; D002130:Calcium Phosphates; D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography; D017886:Durapatite; D005260:Female; D006652:Histological Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D020007:Implants, Experimental; D008853:Microscopy; D008863:Microspheres; D010329:Patella / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries / Q000473:pathology* / Q000502:physiology; D011817:Rabbits; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology; D055114:X-Ray Microtomography / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D002130:Calcium Phosphates; D017886:Durapatite; C018392:tricalcium phosphate