Volumetric changes of the enteric nervous system under physiological and pathological conditions measured using x‐ray phase‐contrast tomography

Full-thickness biopsies of the intestinal wall may be used to study and assess damage to the neurons of the enteric nervous system (ENS), that is, enteric neuropathy. The ENS is difficult to examine due to its localization deep in the intestinal wall and its organization with several connections in diverging directions. Histological sections used in clinical practice only visualize the sample in a two-dimensional way. X-ray phase-contrast micro-computed tomography (PC-μCT) has shown potential to assess the cross-sectional thickness and volume of the ENS in three dimensions (3D). The aim of this study was to explore the potential of PC-μCT to evaluate its use to determine the size of the ENS.