Susann Brosig1, N Peukert2, R Metzger3, H Schneider4, R Haak4, J Gosemann2, M Lacher2, D Kluth2. 1. Department of Pediatric Surgery, University of Leipzig, Liebigstraße 20a, 04103, Leipzig, Germany. susann.brosig@medizin.uni-leipzig.de. 2. Department of Pediatric Surgery, University of Leipzig, Liebigstraße 20a, 04103, Leipzig, Germany. 3. Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Surgery, Paracelsus Medical University, Müllner Hauptstraße 48, 5020, Salzburg, Austria. 4. Department of Cariology, Endodontology and Periodontology, University of Leipzig, Liebigstraße 12, 04103, Leipzig, Germany.
Abstract
PURPOSE: The embryology of common congenital malformations is discussed controversially. Studies are hampered by a shortage of study material and techniques which require partial or complete preparation and therewith destruction of embryos. X-ray micro-computed-tomography (µCT) is a technical opportunity keeping the embryos intact. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the applicability of µCT in embryonic research compared to the anatomical information obtained by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). METHODS: Chicken, rat, mouse and sheep embryos, processed either for SEM studies or as whole embryos, were imaged in three-dimensional (3D) using µCT. The obtained two-dimensional (2D) digital datasets were volume rendered by tomographic reconstruction software and studied using analysis software. RESULTS: All embryos were µCT scanned without technical problems. The quality of the µCT images (image contrast, anatomical details) was excellent, but varied depending on age and species studied. µCT imaging allowed a more comprehensive anatomical/morphological analysis but showed less surface details compared to SEM. CONCLUSION: µCT is a technique suitable and innovative for pediatric surgical research, which allows detailed evaluation of entire embryos without time- and specimen-consuming micro-dissection. Samples prepared for SEM can be used for µCT and vice versa.
PURPOSE: The embryology of common congenital malformations is discussed controversially. Studies are hampered by a shortage of study material and techniques which require partial or complete preparation and therewith destruction of embryos. X-ray micro-computed-tomography (µCT) is a technical opportunity keeping the embryos intact. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the applicability of µCT in embryonic research compared to the anatomical information obtained by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). METHODS:Chicken, rat, mouse and sheep embryos, processed either for SEM studies or as whole embryos, were imaged in three-dimensional (3D) using µCT. The obtained two-dimensional (2D) digital datasets were volume rendered by tomographic reconstruction software and studied using analysis software. RESULTS: All embryos were µCT scanned without technical problems. The quality of the µCT images (image contrast, anatomical details) was excellent, but varied depending on age and species studied. µCT imaging allowed a more comprehensive anatomical/morphological analysis but showed less surface details compared to SEM. CONCLUSION: µCT is a technique suitable and innovative for pediatric surgical research, which allows detailed evaluation of entire embryos without time- and specimen-consuming micro-dissection. Samples prepared for SEM can be used for µCT and vice versa.
Entities:
Keywords:
Embryology; Organogenesis; Scanning electron microscopy; X-ray micro-computed-tomography
Authors: Mary F Barbe; Radhika Adiga; Oleg Gordiienko; Nancy Pleshko; Michael E Selzer; Barbara Krynska Journal: Birth Defects Res A Clin Mol Teratol Date: 2014-06
Authors: Karl Degenhardt; Alexander C Wright; Debra Horng; Arun Padmanabhan; Jonathan A Epstein Journal: Circ Cardiovasc Imaging Date: 2010-02-27 Impact factor: 7.792
Authors: Paul M Gignac; Nathan J Kley; Julia A Clarke; Matthew W Colbert; Ashley C Morhardt; Donald Cerio; Ian N Cost; Philip G Cox; Juan D Daza; Catherine M Early; M Scott Echols; R Mark Henkelman; A Nele Herdina; Casey M Holliday; Zhiheng Li; Kristin Mahlow; Samer Merchant; Johannes Müller; Courtney P Orsbon; Daniel J Paluh; Monte L Thies; Henry P Tsai; Lawrence M Witmer Journal: J Anat Date: 2016-03-11 Impact factor: 2.610