Imaging the vasculature by MicroCT; Ain't no bones about it

摘要

The introduction of high resolution micro computed tomography (microCT) imaging to assess trabecular and cortical bone architecture and geometry has revolutionized our ability to determine the structural basis for the skeletal phenotype of mice. Yet, the application of microCT has been a topic of substantial controversy in the last decade, with many proponents pointing to sensitivity and specificity of the assessment, greater region of interest and direct measurement of bone micro architecture without relying on stereologic models, while detractors espousing quantitative histologic techniques have noted the technical difficulty and cost, along with the blatant lack of cellular and/or mechanistic insight. Despite the wrangling, it is clear that high resolution microCT imaging is now a fundamental component of the skeletal phenotyping armamentarium of bone researchers.