Open AccessEnhanced renal image contrast by ethanol fixation in phase‐contrast X‐ray computed tomography
Author(s) -
Shirai Ryota,
Kunii Takuya,
Yoneyama Akio,
Ooizumi Takahito,
Maruyama Hiroko,
Lwin ThetThet,
Hyodo Kazuyuki,
Takeda Tohoru
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of synchrotron radiation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.172
H-Index - 99
ISSN - 1600-5775
DOI - 10.1107/s1600577514010558
Subject(s) - fixation (population genetics) , medulla , contrast (vision) , phase contrast imaging , x ray , renal cortex , ethanol , cortex (anatomy) , materials science , chemistry , tomography , kidney , phase contrast microscopy , biomedical engineering , optics , anatomy , biology , physics , medicine , biochemistry , neuroscience , gene
Phase‐contrast X‐ray imaging using a crystal X‐ray interferometer can depict the fine structures of biological objects without the use of a contrast agent. To obtain higher image contrast, fixation techniques have been examined with 100% ethanol and the commonly used 10% formalin, since ethanol causes increased density differences against background due to its physical properties and greater dehydration of soft tissue. Histological comparison was also performed. A phase‐contrast X‐ray system was used, fitted with a two‐crystal X‐ray interferometer at 35 keV X‐ray energy. Fine structures, including cortex, tubules in the medulla, and the vessels of ethanol‐fixed kidney could be visualized more clearly than that of formalin‐fixed tissues. In the optical microscopic images, shrinkage of soft tissue and decreased luminal space were observed in ethanol‐fixed kidney; and this change was significantly shown in the cortex and outer stripe of the outer medulla. The ethanol fixation technique enhances image contrast by approximately 2.7–3.2 times in the cortex and the outer stripe of the outer medulla; the effect of shrinkage and the physical effect of ethanol cause an increment of approximately 78% and 22%, respectively. Thus, the ethanol‐fixation technique enables the image contrast to be enhanced in phase‐contrast X‐ray imaging.