All papillary biopsies underwent µCT analysis with the SkyScan-1072 (Vluchtenburgstraat 3, B-2630 Aartselaar, Belgium) high-resolution desktop µCT system as previously described (Williams et al, 2010 (link)).
A second mCT system, the Scanco mCT 20 instrument (Scanco Medical AG, Bassersdorf, Switzerland), was used to determine mineral composition of the crystalline deposits in papillary biopsies analyzed by the SkyScan mCT device and stones as we have previously published. Mineral type was determined by x-ray attenuation values, as previously described (Zarse et al, 2004 (link)).
Some pelvic and intraductal stones collected by our team at the time of stone removal were sent to a clinical laboratory for analysis of mineral composition. The rest of the stones collected were analyzed by µCT, as described above for biopsies. Typical stone scans were completed at 60 kV and reconstructed to create 3D image stacks with cubic voxels 2–20 µm on a side, depending on the total size of the stone. Stone mineral was identified by a combination of x-ray attenuation values and visible morphology. Selected specimens were additionally analyzed using infrared spectroscopy (Bruker Alpha-T Spectrometer) using the KBr pellet method, for confirmation of mineral type (Williams et al, 2010 (link)).
A second mCT system, the Scanco mCT 20 instrument (Scanco Medical AG, Bassersdorf, Switzerland), was used to determine mineral composition of the crystalline deposits in papillary biopsies analyzed by the SkyScan mCT device and stones as we have previously published. Mineral type was determined by x-ray attenuation values, as previously described (Zarse et al, 2004 (link)).
Some pelvic and intraductal stones collected by our team at the time of stone removal were sent to a clinical laboratory for analysis of mineral composition. The rest of the stones collected were analyzed by µCT, as described above for biopsies. Typical stone scans were completed at 60 kV and reconstructed to create 3D image stacks with cubic voxels 2–20 µm on a side, depending on the total size of the stone. Stone mineral was identified by a combination of x-ray attenuation values and visible morphology. Selected specimens were additionally analyzed using infrared spectroscopy (Bruker Alpha-T Spectrometer) using the KBr pellet method, for confirmation of mineral type (Williams et al, 2010 (link)).
