MicroCT
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Rentgenová výpočetní mikrotomografie (mikroCT) představuje moderní zobrazovací technologii s vysokým rozlišením umožňující detailní analýzu zobrazovaného vzorku. Nabízí jedinečný pohled na trojrozměrnou architekturu díky rozlišení na pomezí makroskopického a histologického zobrazení. V oblasti anatomické patologie mikroCT nachází uplatnění zejména při morfometrické analýze nádorů, hodnocení resekčních okrajů chirurgických vzorků či detekci metastáz v lymfatických uzlinách. Kombinace mikroCT s tradičními histopatologickými technikami a s využitím digitální 3D rekonstrukce otevírá nové možnosti při analýze komplexních patologických procesů. Přestože je tato metoda zatím převážně využívána ve výzkumu, její klinický potenciál je značný. Mezi hlavní přednosti patří neinvazivní zobrazení a možnost integrace s digitální patologií a nástroji umělé inteligence. Hlavními limitacemi v současné době zůstávají potřeba kontrastování vzorků, monochromatická povaha obrazu a vysoká radiační zátěž. Pokrok v technologickém vývoji však může tyto překážky překonat a umožnit širší využití mikroCT v rutinní klinické diagnostice. Tento článek představuje technologii mikroCT a její diagnostický potenciál v patologii, přibližuje její aplikace, výhody a omezení, a nabízí vhled do budoucí perspektivy jejího využití.
X-ray microtomography (microCT) represents a modern high-resolution imaging technology enabling detailed analysis of the tissue. It offers a unique perspective on three-dimensional architecture, bridging the gap between macroscopic and histological imaging. In anatomical pathology, microCT is particularly utilized for morphometric tumor analysis, evaluation of surgical specimen resection margins, and detection of metastases in lymph nodes. The combination of microCT with traditional histopathological techniques, and with digital 3D reconstructions, opens new avenues for analyzing complex pathological processes. Although this method is currently used in research, its clinical potential is significant. Key advantages include non-invasive imaging and the ability to be integrated with digital pathology and artificial intelligence tools. Current limitations include the need for sample contrast enhancement, the monochromatic nature of the images, and high radiation exposure. Advances in technological development, however, may overcome these barriers and enable the broader adoption of microCT in routine clinical diagnostics. This article explores the diagnostic potential of microCT in pathology, highlighting its applications, advantages, and limitations, while offering insights into current capabilities and future perspectives of this technology.
We report avian cervical vertebrae from the Quercy fissure fillings in France, which are densely covered with villi-like tubercles. Two of these vertebrae stem from a late Eocene site, another lacks exact stratigraphic data. Similar cervical vertebrae occur in avian species from Eocene fossils sites in Germany and the United Kingdom, but the new fossils are the only three-dimensionally preserved vertebrae with pronounced surface sculpturing. So far, the evolutionary significance of this highly bizarre morphology, which is unknown from extant birds, remained elusive, and even a pathological origin was considered. We note the occurrence of similar structures on the skull of the extant African rodent Lophiomys and detail that the tubercles represent true osteological features and characterize a distinctive clade of Eocene birds (Perplexicervicidae). Micro-computed tomography (μCT) shows the tubercles to be associated with osteosclerosis of the cervical vertebrae, which have a very thick cortex and much fewer trabecles and pneumatic spaces than the cervicals of most extant birds aside from some specialized divers. This unusual morphology is likely to have served for strengthening the vertebral spine in the neck region, and we hypothesize that it represents an anti-predator adaptation against the craniocervical killing bite ("neck bite") that evolved in some groups of mammalian predators. Tuberculate vertebrae are only known from the Eocene of Central Europe, which featured a low predation pressure on birds during that geological epoch, as is evidenced by high numbers of flightless avian species. Strengthening of the cranialmost neck vertebrae would have mitigated attacks by smaller predators with weak bite forces, and we interpret these vertebral specializations as the first evidence of "internal bony armor" in birds.
INTRODUCTION: Fibroblast growth factor 20 (Fgf20), a member of the Fgf9 subfamily, was identified as an important regulator of bone differentiation and homeostasis processes. However, the role of Fgf20 in bone physiology has not been approached yet. Here we present a comprehensive bone phenotype analysis of mice with functional ablation of Fgf20. METHODS: The study conducts an extensive analysis of Fgf20 knockout mice compared to controls, incorporating microCT scanning, volumetric analysis, Fgf9 subfamily expression and stimulation experiment and histological evaluation. RESULTS: The bone phenotype could be detected especially in the area of the lumbar and caudal part of the spine and in fingers. Regarding the spine, Fgf20-/- mice exhibited adhesions of the transverse process of the sixth lumbar vertebra to the pelvis as well as malformations in the distal part of their tails. Preaxial polydactyly and polysyndactyly in varying degrees of severity were also detected. High resolution microCT analysis of distal femurs and the fourth lumbar vertebra showed significant differences in structure and mineralization in both cortical and trabecular bone. These findings were histologically validated and may be associated with the expression of Fgf20 in chondrocytes and their progenitors. Moreover, histological sections demonstrated increased bone tissue formation, disruption of Fgf20-/- femur cartilage, and cellular-level alterations, particularly in osteoclasts. We also observed molar dysmorphology, including root taurodontism, and described variations in mineralization and dentin thickness. DISCUSSION: Our analysis provides evidence that Fgf20, together with other members of the Fgf9 subfamily, plays a crucial regulatory role in skeletal development and bone homeostasis.
- MeSH
- fenotyp MeSH
- fibroblastové růstové faktory * metabolismus genetika MeSH
- fyziologická kalcifikace MeSH
- kosti a kostní tkáň metabolismus patologie diagnostické zobrazování abnormality MeSH
- myši inbrední C57BL MeSH
- myši knockoutované * MeSH
- myši MeSH
- osteogeneze MeSH
- rentgenová mikrotomografie MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- myši MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
The chondrocranium provides the key initial support for the fetal brain, jaws and cranial sensory organs in all vertebrates. The patterns of shaping and growth of the chondrocranium set up species-specific development of the entire craniofacial complex. The 3D development of chondrocranium have been studied primarily in animal model organisms, such as mice or zebrafish. In comparison, very little is known about the full 3D human chondrocranium, except from drawings made by anatomists many decades ago. The knowledge of human-specific aspects of chondrocranial development are essential for understanding congenital craniofacial defects and human evolution. Here advanced microCT scanning was used that includes contrast enhancement to generate the first 3D atlas of the human fetal chondrocranium during the middle trimester (13 to 19 weeks). In addition, since cartilage and bone are both visible with the techniques used, the endochondral ossification of cranial base was mapped since this region is so critical for brain and jaw growth. The human 3D models are published as a scientific resource for human development.
- MeSH
- chrupavka diagnostické zobrazování embryologie MeSH
- lebka diagnostické zobrazování embryologie MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- plod diagnostické zobrazování MeSH
- rentgenová mikrotomografie MeSH
- těhotenství MeSH
- zobrazování trojrozměrné * MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- těhotenství MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- dataset MeSH
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Curettage is the removal of a tumor from the bone while preserving the surrounding healthy cortical bone, and is associated with higher rates of local recurrence. To lower these rates, curettage should be combined with local adjuvants, although their use is associated with damage to nearby healthy bone. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this analysis is to determine the effect of local adjuvants on cortical porcine bone by using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) along with histological and mechanical examination. METHODS: Local adjuvants were applied to porcine specimens under defined conditions. To assess changes in bone mineral density (BMD), a micro-CT scan was used. The pixel gray values of the volume of interest (VOI) were evaluated per specimen and converted to BMD values. The Vickers hardness test was employed to assess bone hardness (HV). The depth of necrosis was measured histologically using hematoxylin and eosin-stained tissue sections. RESULTS: A noticeable change in BMD was observed on the argon beam coagulation (ABC) sample. Comparable hardness values were measured on samples following electrocautery and ABC, and lowering of bone hardness was obtained in the case of liquid nitrogen. Extensive induced depth of necrosis was registered in the specimen treated with liquid nitrogen. CONCLUSION: This study determined the effect of local adjuvants on cortical bone by using micro-CT along with histological and mechanical examination. Phenolization and liquid nitrogen application caused a decrease in bone hardness. The bone density was affected in the range of single-digit percentage values. Liquid nitrogen induced extensive depth of necrosis with a wide variance of values.
- MeSH
- kortikální kost * patologie diagnostické zobrazování chirurgie účinky léků MeSH
- kostní denzita * účinky léků MeSH
- kyretáž * metody MeSH
- nádory kostí * chirurgie patologie MeSH
- prasata MeSH
- rentgenová mikrotomografie * MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
Magnetic nanorobots offer wireless navigation capability in hard-to-reach areas of the human body for targeted therapy and diagnosis. Though in vivo imaging is required for guidance of the magnetic nanorobots toward the target areas, most of the imaging techniques are inadequate to reveal the potential locomotion routes. This work proposes the use of radiopaque magnetic nanorobots along with microcomputed tomography (microCT) for localized in vivo imaging applications. The nanorobots consist of a contrast agent, barium sulfate (BaSO4 ), magnetized by the decoration of magnetite (Fe3 O4 ) particles. The magnetic features lead to actuation under rotating magnetic fields and enable precise navigation in a microfluidic channel used to simulate confined spaces of the body. In this channel, the intrinsic radiopacity of the nanorobots also provides the possibility to reveal the internal structures by X-ray contrast. Furthermore, in vitro analysis indicates nontoxicity of the nanorobots. In vivo experiments demonstrate localization of the nanorobots in a specific part of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract upon the influence of the magnetic field, indicating the efficient control even in the presence of natural peristaltic movements. The nanorobots reported here highlight that smart nanorobotic contrast agents can improve the current imaging-based diagnosis techniques by providing untethered controllability in vivo.
AIM: Fas ligand (FasL) belongs to the tumour necrosis factor superfamily regulating bone turnover, inflammation, and apoptosis. The appendicular and axial skeleton phenotype of mature Faslgld mice has been reported. The impact of FasL on the alveolar bone providing support for the teeth at mature stages under healthy and induced inflammatory conditions remains unknown. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a phenotypical analysis of mice carrying the homozygous Faslgld mutation and wild-type (WT) mice (C57BL/6) under healthy conditions and upon ligature-induced periodontitis. After 12 days, micro-computed tomography analysis revealed the distance between the cement enamel junction and the alveolar bone crest. Additional structural parameters, such as the bone volume fraction (BV/TV) and the periodontal ligament space volume, were measured. Histological analyses were performed to visualize the catabolic changes at the defect site. RESULTS: Healthy Faslgld mice were found to have more periodontal bone than their WT littermates. Faslgld had no significant effect on inflammatory osteolysis compared to WT controls with ligatures. Histology revealed eroded surfaces at the root and in the inter-proximal bone in both strains. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that FasL is a catabolic factor in alveolar bone homeostasis but it does not affect the inflammatory osteolysis.
- MeSH
- homeostáza MeSH
- ligand Fas MeSH
- myši inbrední C57BL MeSH
- myši MeSH
- osteolýza * MeSH
- rentgenová mikrotomografie MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- myši MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
BACKGROUND: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) which can lead to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and evolve to pulmonary fibrosis. Computed tomography (CT) is used to study disease progression and describe radiological patterns in COVID-19 patients. This study aimed to assess disease progression regarding lung volume and density over time on follow-up in vivo chest CT and give a unique look at parenchymal and morphological airway changes in "end-stage" COVID-19 lungs using ex vivo microCT. METHODS: Volumes and densities of the lung/lobes of three COVID-19 patients were assessed using follow-up in vivo CT and ex vivo whole lung microCT scans. Airways were quantified by airway segmentations on whole lung microCT and small-partition microCT. As controls, three discarded healthy donor lungs were used. Histology was performed in differently affected regions in the COVID-19 lungs. RESULTS: In vivo, COVID-19 lung volumes decreased while density increased over time, mainly in lower lobes as previously shown. Ex vivo COVID-19 lung volumes decreased by 60% and all lobes were smaller compared to controls. Airways were more visible on ex vivo microCT in COVID-19, probably due to fibrosis and increased airway diameter. In addition, small-partition microCT showed more deformation of (small) airway morphology and fibrotic organization in severely affected regions with heterogeneous distributions within the same lung which was confirmed by histology. CONCLUSIONS: COVID-19-ARDS and subsequent pulmonary fibrosis alters lung architecture and airway morphology which is described using in vivo CT, ex vivo microCT, and histology.
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
Condylar hyperplasia is one of the causes of facial asymmetry and malocclusion, characterized by enlargement of the lower jaw due to excessive condyle growth activity. The aim of this study was to use micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) to evaluate the bone architecture of the condylar head and determine whether there are differences between patients with various forms of unilateral condylar hyperplasia (UCH): hemimandibular hyperplasia, elongation, and mixed form. The cohort consisted of 28 patients with a mean age of 21.9 years. All patients underwent surgical treatment (condylar shaving) for active pathological growth activity. The portion of the condylar head removed was imaged by micro-CT and subsequently evaluated. Micro-CT imaging and semiquantitative and quantitative evaluation of the bone structure (percentage bone volume, surface density, trabecular thickness, trabecular separation, degree of anisotropy, and porosity of the subchondral bone) did not reveal significant differences between the individual types of condylar hyperplasia (P > 0.05). There were no significant differences in bone structure between the anterior and posterior portions of the condylar head. No statistically significant differences between individual groups of UCH were found in the micro-CT evaluation of the condylar head bone architecture.
- MeSH
- asymetrie obličeje * diagnostické zobrazování chirurgie etiologie MeSH
- dospělí MeSH
- hyperplazie diagnostické zobrazování patologie MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mandibula patologie MeSH
- mladý dospělý MeSH
- processus condylaris mandibulae * diagnostické zobrazování chirurgie patologie MeSH
- rentgenová mikrotomografie škodlivé účinky MeSH
- Check Tag
- dospělí MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mladý dospělý MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
The group Anguimorpha represents one of the most unified squamate clades in terms of body plan, ecomorphology, ecophysiology and evolution. On the other hand, the anguimorphs vary between different habitats and ecological niches. Therefore, we focused on the group Anguimorpha to test a possible correlation between heart morphology and ecological niche with respect to phylogenetic position in Squamata with Sphenodon, Salvator, and Pogona as the outgroups. The chosen lepidosaurian species were investigated by microCT. Generally, all lepidosaurs had two well-developed atria with complete interatrial septum and one ventricle divided by ventricular septa to three different areas. The ventricles of all lepidosaurians had a compact layer and abundant trabeculae. The compact layer and trabeculae were developed in accordance with particular ecological niche of the species, the trabeculae in nocturnal animals with low metabolism, such as Sphenodon, Heloderma or Lanthanotus were more massive. On the other hand athletic animals, such as varanids or Salvator, had ventricle compartmentalization divided by three incomplete septa. A difference between varanids and Salvator was found in compact layer thickness: thicker in monitor lizards and possibly linked to their mammalian-like high blood pressure, and the level of ventricular septation. In summary: heart morphology varied among clades in connection with the ecological niche of particular species and it reflects the phylogenetic position in model clade Anguimorpha. In the absence of fossil evidence, this is the closest approach how to understand heart evolution and septation in clade with different cardiac compartmentalization levels.
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
