title: Micro-imaging of implanted scaffolds using combined MRI and micro-CT.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Thanks to the advanced studies in biomaterial engineering a panoply of polymers can be used to manufacture porous scaffolds for bone tissue regeneration. Suitability of the scaffold for its purpose is determined by factors like size of the pores, its orientation and shape, as well as biocompatibility of the material. Even though a variety of analysis methods is available for in vitro studies, investigating the process of bone reconstruction on implanted scaffold meets with difficulties.
  
  
  METHODS
  Polylactide porous sponges imbued in hydroxyapatite were implanted into long bones of white New Zealand rabbits for 3 months. The bones obtained from the animals were subjected to MRI and μCT imaging. The obtained images were subsequently fused together.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Combined MRI and μCT resulted in high resolution diagnostic images which allow for: implant positioning, inflammation divulgement, rating degree of implant resorption, observation of newly formed trabeculae, texture analysis and other quantitative measurements.
authors.affiliation: Faculty Physics and Applied Computer Science, AGH University of Science and Technology, Al. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Cracow, Poland. Electronic address: klodowski@fis.agh.edu.pl.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kłodowski
authors.affiliation: Faculty Physics and Applied Computer Science, AGH University of Science and Technology, Al. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Cracow, Poland.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kamiński
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Materials Science and Ceramics, AGH University of Science and Technology, Al. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Cracow, Poland.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nowicka
authors.affiliation: Faculty Physics and Applied Computer Science, AGH University of Science and Technology, Al. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Cracow, Poland.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tarasiuk
authors.affiliation: Faculty Physics and Applied Computer Science, AGH University of Science and Technology, Al. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Cracow, Poland.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wroński
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Materials Science and Ceramics, AGH University of Science and Technology, Al. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Cracow, Poland.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Swiętek
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Materials Science and Ceramics, AGH University of Science and Technology, Al. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Cracow, Poland.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Błażewicz
authors.affiliation: Faculty Physics and Applied Computer Science, AGH University of Science and Technology, Al. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Cracow, Poland.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Figiel
authors.affiliation: Faculty Physics and Applied Computer Science, AGH University of Science and Technology, Al. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Cracow, Poland.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Turek
authors.affiliation: Department and Clinic of Animal Surgery, The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13, 20-950 Lublin, Poland.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Szponder
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001861:Bone Regeneration; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D017886:Durapatite; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008422:Materials Testing; D011091:Polyesters; D011817:Rabbits; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds; D055114:X-Ray Microtomography
chemical_list: D011091:Polyesters; C033616:poly(lactide); D017886:Durapatite
keywords: Bone; Image fusion; Implant; Magnetic resonance imaging; Medical imaging; Micro-computed tomography; Scaffold