Scholarlink

Purpose <p>Photon-counting detectors (PCDs) are cutting-edge technology that enable spectral computed tomography (CT) imaging with a single scan. Spectral imaging is particularly effective in contrast-enhanced CT (CECT) imaging, especially when multiple contrast agents are utilized, as materials are distinguishable based on their unique X-ray absorption. One application of CECT is joint imaging, where it assesses the structure and composition of articular cartilage soft tissue. This evaluates articular cartilage and reveals compositional changes associated with early-stage osteoarthritis (OA) using a photon-counting detector CT (PCD-CT) technique combined with a dual-contrast agent method.</p> Methods <p>A dual-contrast agent combination was used, consisting of proteoglycan-binding cationic tantalum oxide nanoparticles, developed in our lab, and a commercial non-ionic iodinated iodixanol agent. <i>Ex vivo</i> equine stifle joint cartilage samples (<i>N</i> = 30) were immersed in the contrast agent bath for 96 hours and imaged at multiple timepoints for analysis of proteoglycan, collagen, and water contents as well as collagen orientation, histological scoring, and biomechanical parameters.</p> Results <p>By analyzing contrast agent concentrations, the technique provided a simultaneous assessment of the solid constituents and function of cartilage. Contrast agent diffusion depended on contrast agent composition and was significantly different between healthy and early-stage OA groups within 12 hours.</p> Conclusion <p>The present study shows the promising utility of the dual-contrast PCD-CT technique for articular cartilage assessment and early-stage OA detection.</p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

Dual-Contrast Agent with Nanoparticle and Molecular Components in Photon-Counting Computed Tomography: Assessing Articular Cartilage Health

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

    开放获取

  • 发表日期：

    2025年3月28日

查看全文
  • Petri Paakkari,
  • Satu I. Inkinen,
  • Jiri Jäntti,
  • Juuso Tuppurainen,
  • Maria C. Fugazzola,
  • Anisha Joenathan,
  • Sampo Ylisiurua,
  • Miika T. Nieminen,
  • Heikki Kröger,
  • Santtu Mikkonen,
  • René van Weeren,
  • Brian D. Snyder,
  • Juha Töyräs,
  • Miitu K. M. Honkanen,
  • Hanna Matikka,
  • Mark W. Grinstaff,
  • Juuso T. J. Honkanen,
  • Janne T. A. Mäkelä

摘要

Purpose

Photon-counting detectors (PCDs) are cutting-edge technology that enable spectral computed tomography (CT) imaging with a single scan. Spectral imaging is particularly effective in contrast-enhanced CT (CECT) imaging, especially when multiple contrast agents are utilized, as materials are distinguishable based on their unique X-ray absorption. One application of CECT is joint imaging, where it assesses the structure and composition of articular cartilage soft tissue. This evaluates articular cartilage and reveals compositional changes associated with early-stage osteoarthritis (OA) using a photon-counting detector CT (PCD-CT) technique combined with a dual-contrast agent method.

Methods

A dual-contrast agent combination was used, consisting of proteoglycan-binding cationic tantalum oxide nanoparticles, developed in our lab, and a commercial non-ionic iodinated iodixanol agent. Ex vivo equine stifle joint cartilage samples (N = 30) were immersed in the contrast agent bath for 96 hours and imaged at multiple timepoints for analysis of proteoglycan, collagen, and water contents as well as collagen orientation, histological scoring, and biomechanical parameters.

Results

By analyzing contrast agent concentrations, the technique provided a simultaneous assessment of the solid constituents and function of cartilage. Contrast agent diffusion depended on contrast agent composition and was significantly different between healthy and early-stage OA groups within 12 hours.

Conclusion

The present study shows the promising utility of the dual-contrast PCD-CT technique for articular cartilage assessment and early-stage OA detection.