High resolution Ca/P maps of bone architecture in 3D synchrotron radiation microtomographic images

The Ca/P ratio was measured in cortical bone samples from the femoral neck and tibia of different animal species, using synchrotron radiation microtomography. Use of a monoenergetic X-ray beam, as provided by the synchrotron facility, generates accurate 3D maps of the linear attenuation coefficient within the sample and hence gives the ability to map different chemical components. Also, by comparing normal and abnormal bones, i.e. osteoporotic (induced by inflammation), changes in the Ca/P ratio brought about by bone diseases can be detected. MicroCT data sets were collected at 20 and 28 keV for each bone sample and two calibration phantoms. From the 3D data sets, multiple 2D slices were reconstructed with a slice thickness of ∼30 μm. Regions of interest were defined around suitable sites and were converted to Ca/P ratios using the data collected from the test phantoms. A significant difference (p<0.001) between osteoporotics and age-matched normals at both energies was detected. Differences between different bone sites from the same animal are not significant (p>0.5) while those between the same bone sites from different animals are highly significant (p<0.001). Differences between estimates made at 20 and 28 keV are not significant (p>0.5). An important aspect is the ability to map the spatial distribution of the Ca/P ratio.