Paper #III-4

DIFFRACTION ENHANCED IMAGING OF THE SPINE - APPLICATION OF A NOVEL SYNCHROTRON TECHNOLOGY

Cole Beavis, MD

Saskatoon, SK

Co-Authors

M. Kelly

L. Allen

K. Yong-Hing

B. Juurlink

D. Chapman

Conventional medical imaging has evolved to allow unprecedented visualization of normal anatomy and disease states. However, some clinical scenarios exist where current imaging modalities remain inadequate to guide treatment decisions. Assessments of postoperative epidural scar formation and spine fusion are two situations that challenge current techniques.

Synchrotron supported medical imaging technology is a growing field of research. Diffraction enhanced imaging is a synchrotron based technique that capitalizes on scatter and refractive properties of objects in addition to X-ray absorption to improve image contrast.

Experiments were performed on two groups of Adult male Wistar rats that underwent spine surgery. Lumbar laminectomy was performed in one group who then underwent assessment of epidural scar formation using conventional imaging and DEI. The second group underwent spine fusion, either instrumented or non-instrumented. Specimens then were imaged using conventional radiography and DEI.

Compared with conventional radiography, DEI was superior in assessing spine fusion. Bridging trabeculae and fusion mass were clearly seen in specimens using DEI that was not visible with conventional radiography. DEI was not effective in visualization of epidural scar following lumbar laminectomy. DEI is a novel technique that offers promise for future applications in musculoskeletal imaging. This represents the first known attempt to image the spine with DEI.