In-Laboratory Diffraction-Enhanced X-Ray Imaging of an Equine Hoof

Authors
Daniel P. Fogarty, Benjamin Reinhart, Tochko Tzvetkov, Ivan Nesch, Cooper Williams
Date
July 2011
Journal
Journal of Equine Veterinary Science
Volume
31
Number
7
Pages
365-369

We describe and demonstrate the first application of a laboratory-based diffraction-enhanced X-ray imaging instrument for noninvasive equine imaging. A formalin-preserved disarticulated forelimb from a near-term aborted miniature horse fetus was imaged with diffraction-enhanced X-ray imaging. The resultant calculated images—absorption, extinction, refraction, and scattering—are presented, and soft-tissues such as the dorsal digital extensor tendon, articular cartilage, as well as various joint, tendon sheath, and bursa recesses are observed in simultaneous registration with the adjacent dense bone tissue. Radiation dose calculations were performed and a calculated surface dose of 0.6 mGy for the soft muscular tissue was determined for the imaging experiment.