Environmental scanning electron microscopy equipped with X-ray microanalysis - Its use in human bone disease - Possibilities and limitations

In a recently published study, we have shown the utility of X-ray diffracti on, X-ray fluorescence acid environmental SEM equipped with micro-analysis in the identification of bone tuberculosis from osteo-archaeological origin . The goal of the present study is the application of environmental SEM in the identification of bone tuberculosis from bone harvested at autopsy. Fir st we studied the effects of potash on calcie, the presence of which signal s tuberculosis. The condition under which the calcite remains practically u naffected was KOH 2M at 105 degrees C for two hours. The treatment was appl ied to a fresh bone sample in order to know the effect on the bone collagen , so that no overlap occurred between the calcium carbonate and the collage n of bone. Finally the same treatment was applied to a bone from a known tu berculous sample. We have noted no destruction of the apatitic structure of the bone with only partial destruction of the collagen. For the tuberculou s bone, we have shown the partial conservation of the calcium carbonate dep osit. These results allow us to define a new treatment method which is at t he same lime more destructive to the collagen and less destructive for the calcium carbonate component. This paper presents a new application of a nin eteenth century method of extracting collagen. These results confirm, by th e fine quality of the environmental SEM images and the precision analyses, the great potential of environmental SEM in medical research.