Microvascular imaging of abdominal and pelvic organs in rabbit using Micro-computed tomography

Abstract

Objective To construct the three-dimensional digital image of vascular system in abdominal and pelvic organs of rabbits using latex-bismuth oxide contrast agent and micro-computed tomography (Micro-CT). Methods A total of 6 female healthy rabbits (4-month old) were chosen as the subjects and anesthetized intraperitoneally, followed by abdominal longitudinal incision and exposure to abdominal and pelvic vessels for the completion of abdominal aortic cannulation, which was used for the contrast agent perfusion into the uterus, bladder, small intestine in vivo and renal artery cannulation for renal perfusion. Latex-bismuth oxide mixture was chosen as the contrast agent (bismuth oxide particles / latex solution =1 g/mL). After successful vascular perfusion, the uteruses, bladders, small intestines and kidneys of the rabbits were collected as the subject organs, which were scanned by Micro-CT (SkyScan 1076, Bruker Corporation, Billerica, UA), the software NRecon was used to process and transform the original images from Micro-CT, and Mimics 17.0 was applied to construct the images of the vessels in the targeted organs for obtaining the three-dimensional images of the vascular trees in different organs of the rabbits as well finally, the classification and branch characteristics of the different vascular trees were analyzed. Results The digital three-dimensional reconstruction models of the vascular trees of the targeted organs were completed successfully. The minimum measurable vascular classification of the bladder vascular tree in rabbits was grade Ⅱ with a diameter of (0.41 ± 0.08) mm, grade Ⅲ was for the uterus vessels with a diameter of (0.39±0.08) mm, and grade Ⅳ for both the small intestine and kidney vessels with diameters of (0.27±0.04) mm and (0.19±0.03) mm, respectively. Conclusions Micro-CT imaging based on contrast agent of latex-bismuth oxide mixture can successfully establish the three-dimensional images of the vascular trees in animal organs through the related software, which can display the path of the vascular tree in the rabbit organ and the diameters of the blood vessels. It is advantageous to construct a digital three-dimensional model of microminiature vascular network in the abdominal and pelvic organs. It also provides a new way of thinking and method for the study of vascular structure in the abdominal and pelvic diseases of small animals. Key words: Angiography; X-ray microtomography; Contrast agent; Imaging, three-dimensional; Rabbits; Models, animals