Experimental study of Synchrotron radiation imaging of extremity microvascular phase contrast imaging

Abstract

Objective To visualize deep-level microvascular structure in rat hind limb by microangiographic technique,and compare images with those by conventional method.Methods Eight Sprague Dawley rats were used for ex vivo study.Either normal saline or barium sulfate solution was infused through the iliac artery catheter into the left hind limb.The specimens of different thickness were then imaged by synchrotron radiation source,and images were compared with those by conventional method.In synchrotron radiation imaging,in-line phase-contrast imaging technique was used,and phase contrast images were compared at different energy levels of monochromatic synchrotron radiation and object-image distances.One rat was used for synchrotron radiation imaging of the liver,lung,and limb without using any contrast.Results Using synchrotron radiation,blood vessel could be detected in the liver without using any contrast,and the hind limb infused with normal saline or barium sulfate solution.In addition,vessels in the hind limb infused with barium sulfate solution could be clearly depicted with more detail by synchrotron radiation imaging compared with conventional method,with the minimum visualized blood vessel about 9 μm in diameter.Conclusion Synchrotron radiation-based microangiography provided a practical and effective mean to observe the microvasculature of limbs,which might be useful in assessment of angiogenesis in lower limbs. Key words: Synchrotron radiation; Microangiography; Microvasculature; Angiogenesis