X-ray dark field imaging of human articular cartilage: Possible clinical application to orthopedic surgery

我们开发了一种新型的X射线暗场成像(DFI)。我们检查了脱节的股骨远端和肩关节及其周围的软组织和皮肤，这两个都是从人的身体上切除的。脱位股骨远端关节软骨在DFI上可见，但在标准X线片上不明显。此外，DFI可以在覆盖软组织和皮肤的情况下原位显示肩关节软骨。肱骨近端解剖切片上关节软骨的大体外观与DFI图像上显示的软骨相同。这些结果表明，DFI可以提供一种临床上准确的关节软骨评估方法。因此，DFI将是诊断骨关节炎等关节疾病的有用的成像工具。

We developed a novel type of X-ray dark field imaging (DFI). We examined a disarticulated distal femur and a shoulder joint with surrounding soft tissue and skin, both excised from a human cadaver. Articular cartilage of the disarticulated distal femur was obvious on DFI, but not on standard X-ray images. Furthermore, DFI allowed visualization in situ of articular cartilage of the shoulder while covered with soft tissue and skin. The gross appearance of the articular cartilage on the dissected section of the proximal humerus was identical to the cartilage shown on the DFI image. These results suggested that DFI could provide a clinically accurate method of assessing articular cartilage. Hence, DFI would be a useful imaging tool for diagnosing joint disease such as osteoarthritis.