Micro-imaging of implanted scaffolds using combined MRI and micro-CT

Thanks to the advanced studies in biomaterial engineering a panoply of polymers can be used to manufacture porous scaffolds for bone tissue regeneration. Suitability of the scaffold for its purpose is determined by factors like size of the pores, its orientation and shape, as well as biocompatibility of the material. Even though a variety of analysis methods is available for in vitro studies, investigating the process of bone reconstruction on implanted scaffold meets with difficulties.

Polylactide porous sponges imbued in hydroxyapatite were implanted into long bones of white New Zealand rabbits for 3 months. The bones obtained from the animals were subjected to MRI and μCT imaging. The obtained images were subsequently fused together.

Combined MRI and μCT resulted in high resolution diagnostic images which allow for: implant positioning, inflammation divulgement, rating degree of implant resorption, observation of newly formed trabeculae, texture analysis and other quantitative measurements.