Micro- and nano-CT for the study of bone ultrastructure

Curr Osteoporos Rep. 2014 Dec;12(4):465-74. doi: 10.1007/s11914-014-0233-0.

Abstract

Micro-computed tomography (micro-CT)-a version of X-ray CT operating at high spatial resolution-has had a considerable success for the investigation of trabecular bone micro-architecture. Currently, there is a lot of interest in exploiting CT techniques at even higher spatial resolutions to assess bone tissue at the cellular scale. After recalling the basic principles of micro-CT, we review the different existing system, based on either standard X-ray tubes or synchrotron sources. Then, we present recent applications of micro- and nano-CT for the analysis of osteocyte lacunae and the lacunar-canalicular network. We also address the question of the quantification of bone ultrastructure to go beyond the sole visualization.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bone and Bones / diagnostic imaging
  • Bone and Bones / ultrastructure*
  • Extracellular Matrix / diagnostic imaging
  • Extracellular Matrix / ultrastructure
  • Humans
  • Microradiography / methods*
  • Models, Animal
  • Nanotechnology / methods*
  • Osteocytes / diagnostic imaging
  • Osteocytes / ultrastructure
  • Synchrotrons
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods*