Using synchrotron imaging techniques to solve problems in neurosurgery

Objective: The purpose of the research presented in this thesis is to explore new biomedical applications of synchrotron imaging in the field of neurosurgery. Methods: Four different studies were performed, all using advanced biomedical synchrotron imaging techniques. In the first two experiments, diffraction enhanced imaging (DEI) and analyzer based imaging (ABI) were utilized to study the anatomy of the rat spine and a novel rat model of spinal fusion. In a third experiment, K-edge digital subtraction angiography (KEDSA) was used to study the cerebral vasculature in a rabbit model. In a fourth experiment, rapid scanning X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (RS-XRF) was used to study stem cell migration in a rat stroke model. Results: DEI had superior visualization of ligamentous and boney anatomy in a rat model. Analyzer based imaging was able to visualize physiologic amounts of bone graft material and progressive incorporation into the spine. Intravenous KEDSA showed excellent visualization of the cerebral vasculature in a rabbit model. Finally, RS-XRF was used to track iron labeled stem cells implanted in a rat stroke model. The technique was able to visualize the iron that represented the stem cell migration. This was correlated with histology and magnetic resonance imaging information. Conclusions: 1) Diffraction enhanced imaging has excellent contrast for the study of boney and ligamentous anatomy. 2) Analyzer based imaging is an excellent tool to study animal models of boney fusion. 3) Intravenous KEDSA is able to clearly visualize the arterial vasculature in a rabbit model. 4) RS-XRF can be used to study the migration patterns of implanted iron labeled stem cells