Quantitative morphometric evaluation of critical size experimental bone defects by microcomputed tomography.

Our aim was to show that microcomputed tomography is a useful tool for acquiring high-resolution three-dimensional tomographic images to assess bone healing, the interface with materials, and the biocompatibility of bone substitutes. Acquired images can be used for non-invasive quantitative morphometric analysis of regenerating bone, leaving the option for conventional histology to be an adjunct used at defined intervals. The temporal characterisation of the mineralisation of bone potentially has a critical role in the understanding of the dynamics of mineralisation of healing bone. This has applications both for degradable and bioactive materials and for pharmaceutical products that act on bone. Formal validation of this promising new technique will be a critical part of continuing studies.