Article

The direct examination of three-dimensional bone architecture in vitro by computed tomography

  1. Lee A. Feldkamp Ph.D.1,*,
  2. Steven A. Goldstein2,
  3. Michael A. Parfitt3,
  4. Gerald Jesion1,
  5. Michael Kleerekoper3

Article first published online: 3 DEC 2009

DOI: 10.1002/jbmr.5650040103

Issue

Journal of Bone and Mineral Research

Journal of Bone and Mineral Research

Volume 4, Issue 1, pages 3–11, February 1989

Additional Information

How to Cite

Feldkamp, L. A., Goldstein, S. A., Parfitt, M. A., Jesion, G. and Kleerekoper, M. (1989), The direct examination of three-dimensional bone architecture in vitro by computed tomography. J Bone Miner Res, 4: 3–11. doi: 10.1002/jbmr.5650040103

Author Information

  1. 1

    Physics Department, Research Staff, Ford Motor Company, Dearborn, MI

  2. 2

    Biomechanics, Trauma, and Sports Medicine Laboratory, Section of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI

  3. 3

    Bone and Mineral Research Laboratory, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI

*Physics Department Research Staff Room S-3039 Ford Motor Company P.O. Box 2053 Dearborn, MI 48121–2053

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 3 DEC 2009
  2. Article first published online: 3 DEC 2009
  3. Manuscript Revised: 9 SEP 1988
  4. Manuscript Accepted: 9 SEP 1988
  5. Manuscript Received: 24 MAR 1988

Funded by

  • National Institutes of Health. Grant Numbers: AR34399, AR31793, RR03348

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Abstract

We describe a new method for the direct examination of three-dimensional bone structure in vitro based on high-resolution computed tomography (CT). Unlike clinical CT, a three-dimensional reconstruction array is created directly, rather than a series of two-dimensional slices. All structural indices commonly determined from two-dimensional histologic sections can be obtained nondestructively from a large number of slices in each of three orthogonal directions. This permits a comprehensive description of structural variation within a specimen and greatly facilitates the study of structural anisotropy. A measure of three-dimensional connectivity (Euler number/tissue volume) has been determined for the first time in human cancellous bone and shown to correlate with several two-dimensional histomorphometric indices. The method has the potential for overcoming many of the limitations of current approaches to the study of bone architecture at the microscopic level.

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