Pablo C Zambrano-Rodríguez1, Sirio Bolaños-Puchet2, Horacio J Reyes-Alva1, Luis E García-Orozco2, Mario E Romero-Piña2, Angelina Martinez-Cruz3, Gabriel Guízar-Sahagún4,5, Luis A Medina6,7. 1. Department of Neurology, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, 50090, Toluca, Mexico. 2. Unidad de Investigación Biomédica en Cáncer INCan/UNAM, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, 14280, Mexico City, Mexico. 3. Department of Experimental Surgery, Proyecto Camina A.C, Calzada de Tlalpan 4430, 14050, Mexico City, Mexico. 4. Department of Experimental Surgery, Proyecto Camina A.C, Calzada de Tlalpan 4430, 14050, Mexico City, Mexico. guizarg@gmail.com. 5. Research Unit for Neurological Diseases, Hospital de Especialidades Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, IMSS, 06720, Mexico City, Mexico. guizarg@gmail.com. 6. Unidad de Investigación Biomédica en Cáncer INCan/UNAM, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, 14280, Mexico City, Mexico. medina@fisica.unam.mx. 7. Instituto de Física, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 04510, Mexico City, Mexico. medina@fisica.unam.mx.
Abstract
PURPOSE: The spinal subarachnoid space (SSAS) is vital for neural performance. Although models of spinal diseases and trauma are used frequently, no methods exist to obtain high-resolution myelograms in rodents. Thereby, our aim was to explore the feasibility of obtaining high-resolution micro-CT myelograms of rats by contrast-enhanced dual-energy (DE) and single-energy (SE) digital subtraction. METHODS: Micro-CT contrast-enhanced DE and SE imaging protocols were implemented with live adult rats (total of 18 animals). For each protocol, contrast agents based on iodine (Iomeron® 400 and Fenestra® VC) and gold nanoparticles (AuroVist™ 15 nm) were tested. For DE, images at low- and high-energy settings were acquired after contrast injection; for SE, one image was acquired before and the other after contrast injection. Post-processing consisted of region of interest selection, image registration, weighted subtraction, and longitudinal alignment. RESULTS: High-resolution myelograms were obtained with contrast-enhanced digital subtraction protocols. After qualitative and quantitative (contrast-to-noise ratio) analyses, we found that the SE acquisition protocol with Iomeron® 400 provides the best images. 3D contour renderings allowed visualization of SSAS and identification of some anatomical structures within it. CONCLUSION: This in vivo study shows the potential of SE contrast-enhanced myelography for imaging SSAS in rat. This approach yields high-resolution 3D images without interference from adjacent anatomical structures, providing an innovative tool for further assessment of studies involving rat SSAS.
PURPOSE: The spinal subarachnoid space (SSAS) is vital for neural performance. Although models of spinal diseases and trauma are used frequently, no methods exist to obtain high-resolution myelograms in rodents. Thereby, our aim was to explore the feasibility of obtaining high-resolution micro-CT myelograms of rats by contrast-enhanced dual-energy (DE) and single-energy (SE) digital subtraction. METHODS: Micro-CT contrast-enhanced DE and SE imaging protocols were implemented with live adult rats (total of 18 animals). For each protocol, contrast agents based on iodine (Iomeron® 400 and Fenestra® VC) and gold nanoparticles (AuroVist™ 15 nm) were tested. For DE, images at low- and high-energy settings were acquired after contrast injection; for SE, one image was acquired before and the other after contrast injection. Post-processing consisted of region of interest selection, image registration, weighted subtraction, and longitudinal alignment. RESULTS: High-resolution myelograms were obtained with contrast-enhanced digital subtraction protocols. After qualitative and quantitative (contrast-to-noise ratio) analyses, we found that the SE acquisition protocol with Iomeron® 400 provides the best images. 3D contour renderings allowed visualization of SSAS and identification of some anatomical structures within it. CONCLUSION: This in vivo study shows the potential of SE contrast-enhanced myelography for imaging SSAS in rat. This approach yields high-resolution 3D images without interference from adjacent anatomical structures, providing an innovative tool for further assessment of studies involving rat SSAS.
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