title: Phase-contrast imaging with synchrotron hard X-ray of micro lesions of the cartilage of the femoral head in rabbits.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To observe micro lesions on the cartilage of the rabbit femoral head using phase-contrast imaging with synchrotron hard X-ray and to prove that this method can be useful in the study of the degeneration of cartilage.
  
  
  METHODS
  New Zealand white rabbits were used in a micro lesion model of rabbit femoral head cartilage. Bilateral femoral heads were excised from rabbits, and micro lesions were made on one side with a specially made knife with a blade 20 μm in width. The other femur was left intact to serve as the control. Phase-contrast imaging with synchrotron hard X-ray and conventional X-ray imaging were used to observe the cartilage. Histological changes were investigated using modified Golden tri-color staining.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Phase-contrast imaging with synchrotron hard X-ray clearly showed the 20 μm lesions on the cartilage on the heads of rabbit femurs. These lesions were not visible with conventional X-ray imaging. Histological observation confirmed the presence of the microscopic lesions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Phase-contrast imaging with synchrotron hard X-ray can detect microscopic lesions on cartilage that cannot be detected by conventional absorption-contrast X-ray. This provides an unequivocal, non-invasive alternative to histological examination in the diagnosis of joint disease. It should be considered a new tool in osteoarthritis and cartilage research.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Osteonecrosis and Joint-Preserving & Reconstruction, China-Japan Friendship Hospital Beijing 100029, China.
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Jinan Command General Hospital of PLA Jinan 250031, China.
authors.forename: Yong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Centre for Osteonecrosis and Joint-Preserving & Reconstruction, China-Japan Friendship Hospital Beijing 100029, China.
authors.forename: Fuqiang
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.affiliation: Centre for Osteonecrosis and Joint-Preserving & Reconstruction, China-Japan Friendship Hospital Beijing 100029, China.
authors.forename: Zirong
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Beijing Synchrotron Radiation Facility, Institute of High Energy Physics Beijing 100039, China.
authors.forename: Gang
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: China-Japan Friendship Institute of Clinical Medical Science Beijing 100029, China.
authors.forename: Lin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pan
keywords: Phase-contrast; cartilage; femoral head; synchrotron