Heavy metal—A contrasting substance for micro-tomographical visualization of scorpion book lungs

Remarkable results obtained while searching for suitable contrasting agents for tomographical imaging are presented. Book lungs, the respiratory organs of scorpions (Scorpiones, Arachnida), served as challenging objects in terms of fragility and preparatory requirements, as well in terms of size dif...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Micron (Oxford, England : 1993) England : 1993), 2009-12, Vol.40 (8), p.911-917
Main Authors: Kamenz, Carsten, Weidemann, Gerd
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Arachnida
Contrast
Contrast Media - pharmacology
Lung - diagnostic imaging
Metals, Heavy - pharmacology
Osmium tetroxide
Radiography
Respiratory organ
Scorpiones
Scorpions - anatomy & histology
X-ray
μCT
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Summary:Remarkable results obtained while searching for suitable contrasting agents for tomographical imaging are presented. Book lungs, the respiratory organs of scorpions (Scorpiones, Arachnida), served as challenging objects in terms of fragility and preparatory requirements, as well in terms of size differences between the entire organ and its functional subunits (the lamellae). The problem of tissue contrast was investigated using various metals, but most successfully addressed using osmium. Gaseous osmium tetroxide exposure with subsequent ethanol treatment yielded the best results. A constant and thorough staining of the book lungs was achieved, easing book-lung visualization using 3D-reconstructions from μCT scans.
ISSN:0968-4328
1878-4291
DOI:10.1016/j.micron.2009.05.007