Cooper D M L, Turinsky A L, Sensen C W, Hallgrímsson B
Department of Archaeology, University of Calgary.
Anat Rec B New Anat. 2003 Sep;274(1):169-79. doi: 10.1002/ar.b.10024.
Cortical bone is perforated by an interconnected network of porous canals that facilitate the distribution of neurovascular structures throughout the cortex. This network is an integral component of cortical microstructure and, therefore, undergoes continual change throughout life as the cortex is remodeled. To date, the investigation of cortical microstructure, including the canal network, has largely been limited to the two-dimensional (2D) realm due to methodological hurdles. Thanks to continuing improvements in scan resolution, micro-computed tomography (muCT) is the first nondestructive imaging technology capable of resolving cortical canals. Like its application to trabecular bone, muCT provides an efficient means of quantifying aspects of 3D architecture of the canal network. Our aim here is to introduce the use of muCT for this application by providing examples, discussing some of the parameters that can be acquired, and relating these to research applications. Although several parameters developed for the analysis of trabecular microstructure are suitable for the analysis of cortical porosity, the algorithm used to estimate connectivity is not. We adapt existing algorithms based on skeletonization for this task. We believe that 3D analysis of the dimensions and architecture of the canal network will provide novel information relevant to many aspects of bone biology. For example, parameters related to the size, spacing, and volume of the canals may be particularly useful for investigation of the mechanical properties of bone. Alternatively, parameters describing the 3D architecture of the canal network, such as connectivity between the canals, may provide a means of evaluating cumulative remodeling related change.
皮质骨被相互连接的多孔管道网络穿透，这些管道有助于神经血管结构在整个皮质中的分布。这个网络是皮质微观结构的一个组成部分，因此，随着皮质的重塑，它在整个生命过程中不断变化。迄今为止，由于方法上的障碍，对包括管道网络在内的皮质微观结构的研究在很大程度上局限于二维领域。得益于扫描分辨率的不断提高，微计算机断层扫描（muCT）是第一种能够分辨皮质管道的无损成像技术。与它在小梁骨中的应用一样，muCT提供了一种量化管道网络三维结构方面的有效方法。我们在此的目的是通过提供实例、讨论一些可以获取的参数并将这些参数与研究应用相关联，来介绍muCT在该应用中的使用。虽然为分析小梁微观结构而开发的几个参数适用于分析皮质孔隙率，但用于估计连通性的算法并不适用。我们为此任务改编了基于骨架化的现有算法。我们相信，对管道网络的尺寸和结构进行三维分析将提供与骨生物学许多方面相关的新信息。例如，与管道的大小、间距和体积相关的参数可能对研究骨的力学性能特别有用。或者，描述管道网络三维结构的参数，如管道之间的连通性，可能提供一种评估累积重塑相关变化的方法。
