A Cationic Contrast Agent in X-ray Imaging of Articular Cartilage: Pre-Clinical Evaluation of Diffusion and Attenuation Properties

Autor: Simone Fantoni, Ilenia Gabucci, Paolo Cardarelli, Gianfranco Paternò, Angelo Taibi, Virginia Cristofori, Claudio Trapella, Armando Bazzani, Marta Assenza, Alice Zanna Bonacorsi, Daniele Conti, Fabio Baruffaldi
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2022
Předmět:
Zdroj: Diagnostics, Vol 12, Iss 9, p 2111 (2022)
Druh dokumentu: article
ISSN: 2075-4418
DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics12092111
Popis: The aim of this study was the preliminary assessment of a new cationic contrast agent, the CA4+, via the analysis of spatial distribution in cartilage of ex vivo bovine samples, at micrometer and millimeter scale. Osteochondral plugs (n = 18) extracted from bovine stifle joints (n = 2) were immersed in CA4+ solution up to 26 h. Planar images were acquired at different time points, using a microCT apparatus. The CA4+ distribution in cartilage and saturation time were evaluated. Tibial plates from bovine stifle joints (n = 3) were imaged with CT, before and after 24 h-CA4+ bath immersion, at different concentrations. Afterward, potential CA4+ washout from cartilage was investigated. From microCT acquisitions, the CA4+ distribution differentiated into three distinct layers inside the cartilage, reflecting the spatial distribution of proteoglycans. After 24 h of diffusion, the iodine concentration reached in cartilage was approximately seven times that of the CA4+ bath. The resulting saturation time was 1.9 ± 0.9 h and 2.6 ± 2.9 h for femoral and tibial samples, respectively. Analysis of clinical CT acquisitions confirmed overall contrast enhancement of cartilage after 24 h immersion, observed for each CA4+ concentration. Distinct contrast enhancement was reached in different cartilage regions, depending on tissue’s local features. Incomplete but remarkable washout of cartilage was observed. CA4+ significantly improved cartilage visualization and its qualitative analysis.
Databáze: Directory of Open Access Journals
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