Figure 2.

(a) The analysis volume was prescribed as a 25 mm central slab in AP and LM DTS images to avoid blurring artifact, while HRCT VOI included the entire volume. Thus, the entire endplate was sampled for HRCT while a portion of the endplate was used in the DTS analysis. The portion of the endplate included in the DTS analysis depended on the view. (b) Note that pixel size is anisotropic in axial DTS images while it is isotropic in axial HRCT images. Within the volume included in the analysis, the quantity and spacing of sample points available for analysis is better in sagittal planes but poorer in coronal planes for AP DTS than for HRCT. In contrast, the quantity and spacing of sample points available for analysis is better in coronal planes but poorer in sagittal planes for LM DTS than for HRCT. (c) Pixel size is anisotropic in the measurement plane for HRCT images (with measurement resolution corresponding to slice thickness) and isotropic (coronal for AP, sagittal for LM) for DTS. DTS has superior sampling resolution along the axes perpendicular/parallel to the scanning direction, providing DTS considerably higher measurement resolution than HRCT within each plane of analysis. Note that grid lines demonstrate relative pixel spacing in DTS vs. HRCT and are not drawn to scale; figure prepared from µCT images for clarity.