Pedro Teixeira Castro1,2, Ana Paula Pinho Matos2, Osvaldo Luiz Aranda1,3, Edson Marchiori1, Haimon Diniz Lopes Alves4,5, Alessandra Silveira Machado5, Ricardo Tadeu Lopes5, Heron Werner2, Edward Araujo Júnior6. 1. a Department of Radiology , Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) , Rio de Janeiro , Brazil. 2. b Department of Radiology , Clínica Diagnóstico por Imagem (CDPI) , Rio de Janeiro , Brazil. 3. c Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , Vassouras University , Vassouras , Brazil. 4. d Department of Applied Physics and Thermodynamics , Physics Institute, State University of Rio de Janeiro (UERJ) , Rio de Janeiro , Brazil. 5. e Nuclear Engineering Program (PEN/COPPE), Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) , Rio de Janeiro , Brazil. 6. f Department of Obstetrics, Paulista School of Medicine , Federal University of São Paulo (EPM-UNIFESP) , São Paulo , Brazil.
Abstract
Objective: The aim of this study was to provide a three-dimensional (3D) microscopic reconstruction of morphological modifications of the fallopian tube (FT) following surgical sterilization (including tuboperitoneal fistula) and ectopic pregnancy (EP) using confocal microtomography (micro-CT). Methods: Six specimens of FT from elective and emergency surgeries were selected: three remnants of the FT (RFT) from surgical sterilization, including one presenting tuboperitoneal fistula, and three FTs with EP. The specimens were fixed in formalin and stained with Lugol solution. Micro-CT studies were conducted on the specimens using protocols adapted from biological studies. Results: Three RFTs from surgical sterilization and three FTs affected by EPs were successfully scanned using micro-CT. There was good contrast impregnation, allowing tissue segmentation and analysis of different sections of the FTs. Three FT specimens from EP exhibited considerable distortion of the tubal anatomy, mainly from the blood clot in the tubal abortion. Three RFT specimens exhibited some features observed in traditional microscopy, such as tubal distension and loss of normal anatomical characteristics of a normal FT, and indicated the presence of a tuboperitoneal fistula in one of the three specimens. Conclusion: Micro-CT can identify morphological characteristics of FT pathologies previously described in a microscopic scale, with tissue contrast and the possibility of 3D reconstruction. Micro-CT is also useful in guiding traditional sectioning of specimens for histopathological studies.
Objective: The aim of this study was to provide a three-dimensional (3D) microscopic reconstruction of morphological modifications of the fallopian tube (FT) following surgical sterilization (including tuboperitoneal fistula) and ectopic pregnancy (EP) using confocal microtomography (micro-CT). Methods: Six specimens of FT from elective and emergency surgeries were selected: three remnants of the FT (RFT) from surgical sterilization, including one presenting tuboperitoneal fistula, and three FTs with EP. The specimens were fixed in formalin and stained with Lugol solution. Micro-CT studies were conducted on the specimens using protocols adapted from biological studies. Results: Three RFTs from surgical sterilization and three FTs affected by EPs were successfully scanned using micro-CT. There was good contrast impregnation, allowing tissue segmentation and analysis of different sections of the FTs. Three FT specimens from EP exhibited considerable distortion of the tubal anatomy, mainly from the blood clot in the tubal abortion. Three RFT specimens exhibited some features observed in traditional microscopy, such as tubal distension and loss of normal anatomical characteristics of a normal FT, and indicated the presence of a tuboperitoneal fistula in one of the three specimens. Conclusion: Micro-CT can identify morphological characteristics of FT pathologies previously described in a microscopic scale, with tissue contrast and the possibility of 3D reconstruction. Micro-CT is also useful in guiding traditional sectioning of specimens for histopathological studies.
Entities:
Keywords:
3D reconstruction; ectopic pregnancy; fallopian tube; microtomography; tuboperitoneal fistula