Phase-Contrast X-ray CT Imaging of the Kidney: Differences between Ethanol Fixation and Formalin Fixation

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  • SHIRAI Ryota
    Graduate School of Medical Science, Kitasato University
  • KUNII Takuya
    Graduate School of Medical Science, Kitasato University
  • YONEYAMA Akio
    Hitachi Ltd. Central Research Laboratory
  • MARUYAMA Hiroko
    Graduate School of Medical Science, Kitasato University Allied Health Science, Kitasato University
  • LWIN Thet Thet
    Allied Health Science, Kitasato University
  • TAKEDA Tohoru
    Graduate School of Medical Science, Kitasato University Allied Health Science, Kitasato University

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  • 腎臓の位相コントラストX線CT観察—エタノール固定法とホルマリン固定法の違い—

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A phase-contrast X-ray imaging technique using an X-ray interferometer that provides approximately 1000 times higher sensitivity than the conventional X-ray imaging method for low-atomic number elements based on the difference in the mass attenuation coefficient has recently been developed. In the present study, we compared rat kidneys fixed in 100% ethanol and in 10% formalin to evaluate the effects of ethanol in enhancing image contrast in phase-contrast imaging because ethanol causes significant dehydration of tissues and enhances density differences between tissue components. The experiments were conducted at the Photon Factory in Tsukuba, and the X-ray energy was set at 35 keV. Fine anatomical structures in the kidney such as the glomeruli, tubules, and vessels were observed. Particularly clear renal images were obtained with ethanol fixation. The pixel value ratio between the cortex and medulla was about 43% in ethanol-fixed kidneys and 21% in formalin-fixed kidneys. In other words, the contrast in ethanol-fixed kidneys was about two times higher than that in formalin-fixed kidneys. Histological examination showed significantly condensed features in the cortex. The results of this study suggest that the ethanol fixation technique may be useful for enhancing the image contrast of renal structures in the phase-contrast X-ray imaging technique.

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