Microangiographic representation of the microvascular system in bone tissue: a vital microscopic evaluation in the rabbit.

A titanium chamber, enabling in situ studies of living bone, was inserted into the adult rabbit metaphysis. The true vascular state of an observable bone tissue compartment was microscopically defined after autologous grafting of the chamber and a surrounding bone collar. Micropaque and India ink microangiography, respectively, were performed under direct, simultaneous inspection in a vital microscope. In 20 animals Micropaque and India ink, on the average, filled out less than 50% of the actually functioning vessels. Resting vessels were not responsible for the poor vascular delineation. Either a direct capillary blockage or an indirect blockage due to intravascular mixing of contrast media and blood occurred.