Abstract
In comparison with absorption-contrast X-ray imaging, phase-contrast X-ray imaging has approximately 1000 times higher sensitivity for detecting light elements. Using the characteristic, the phase-contrast X-ray CT have visualized biological organ fixed by formalin or ethanol without contrast agent. In the present study, using a specially developed cryo-chamber, the morphologic changes in animal model of transplanted organ were examined by phase-contrast X-ray CT. Since the renal transplant is familiar in clinical practice, rat's kidney was selected for the transplant model. Rarely, frozen of kidney occurred, so freeze-thaw kidneys were observed by phase-contrast X-ray CT, comparing to non-frozen kidney. Rats were performed anesthesia, and perfused by a transplant protection solution (Euro-Collins solution). After perfusion, kidney was removed surgically and stored within Euro-Collins solution. Phase-contrast X-ray CT image of the freeze-thaw kidneys revealed low density in cortex and outer-medulla. Pathological image of the freeze-thaw kidneys also showed the destruction of renal tubule in these regions. Thus, phase-contrast X-ray CT with a cryo-chamber enables to visualize the histological condition of transplanted kidney without contrast agents.
