Feasibility of phase contrast radiography in cat normal spinal cord

Phase contrast radiography (PCR) techniques are becoming important analytical tools for imaging biological samples. The authors aimed to evaluate a possible use of PCR in examining radiological microscopic findings of cat normal spinal cord without any staining procedure in paraffin blocked specimens. The PCR experiments were implemented at the International Consortium of Phase Contrast Imaging and Radiology (ICPCIR) (7B2) beamline at the Pohang Light Source in Korea. In the phase contrast radiography, the grey and white matters of the spinal cord were demarcated with the grey matter in an 'H' shape, similar to the histological structure by light microscopy. The dorsal, intermediate and ventral grey matters were clearly visible as well as other columns and funiculi. The authors suggest that PCR could be a useful tool for microscopic morphological investigation of spinal cord without any staining procedure.