Journal article

Publication year: 2006

Pages: L535-L545

Journal: American Journal of Physiology - Lung Cellular and Molecular Physiology

Volume number: 291

Issue number: 3

ISSN: 1040-0605

eISSN: 1522-1504

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1152/ajplung.00088.2005

Publisher: American Physiological Society

Abstract: 
We evaluated microfocal X-ray-computed tomography (micro-CT)as a method to visualize lung architecture two and three dimensionally and to obtain morphometric data. Inflated porcine lungs were fixed by formaldehyde ventilation. Tissue samples (8-mm diameter, 10-mm height) were stained with osmium tetroxide, and 400 projection images (1,024 x 1,024 pixel) were obtained. Continuous isometric micro-CT scans (voxel size 9 mu m) were acquired to reconstruct two-and three-dimensional images. Tissue samples were sectioned (8-mu m thickness) for histological analysis. Alveolar surface density and mean linear intercept were assessed by stereology-based morphometry in micro-CT scans and corresponding histological sections. Furthermore, stereology-based morphometry was compared with morphometric semi-automated micro-CT analysis within the same micro-CT scan. Agreement of methods was assessed by regression and Bland-Altman analysis. Comparing histology with micro-CT, alveolar surface densities (35.4 +/- 2.4 vs. 33.4 +/- 1.9/mm, P < 0.05) showed a correlation (r = 0.72; P = 0.018) with an agreement of 2 +/- 1.6/mm; the mean linear intercept (135.7 +/- 14.5 vs. 135.8 +/- 15 mu m) correlated well (r = 0.97; P < 0.0001) with an agreement of -0.1 +/- 3.4 mu m. Semi-automated micro-CT analysis resulted in smaller alveolar surface densities (33.4 +/- 1.9 vs. 30.5 +/- 1/mm; P < 0.01) with a correlation (r = 0.70; P = 0.023) and agreement of 2.9 +/- 1.4/mm. Non-destructive micro-CT scanning offers the advantage to visualize the spatial tissue architecture of small lung samples two and three dimensionally.

Harvard Citation style: Litzlbauer, H., Neuhaeuser, C., Moell, A., Greschus, S., Breithecker, A., Franke, F., et al. (2006) Three-dimensional imaging and morphometric analysis of alveolar tissue from microfocal X-ray-computed tomography, American Journal of Physiology - Lung Cellular and Molecular Physiology, 291(3), pp. L535-L545. https://doi.org/10.1152/ajplung.00088.2005

APA Citation style: Litzlbauer, H., Neuhaeuser, C., Moell, A., Greschus, S., Breithecker, A., Franke, F., Kummer, W., & Rau, W. (2006). Three-dimensional imaging and morphometric analysis of alveolar tissue from microfocal X-ray-computed tomography. American Journal of Physiology - Lung Cellular and Molecular Physiology. 291(3), L535-L545. https://doi.org/10.1152/ajplung.00088.2005