The axolotl as an animal model for the comparison of 3-D ultrasound with plain film radiography.
We assessed the usefulness of an animal model, the axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum), in comparing 3-D ultrasound (3-D US) and plain film radiographs. Hindlimbs were amputated from 5 animals, at either the zeugopodial or stylopodial level, and each regenerating limb was imaged 16 times with 3-D US and 14 times with plain film X ray over 315 days. US images were acquired with a Siemens Sonoline Versa Pro and a 10-MHz linear array transducer. For 3-D US images, the probe was translated in a motor-driven linear stage while images were digitized. The regenerating tibia and fibula bones were detected on 3-D US an average of 37 days earlier than on plain film radiography, and regenerating phalangeal bones were detected on 3-D US an average of 18 days earlier. After 120 days, both imaging modalities consistently showed the bones. The average bone growth rates for the tibia and fibula were 0.019 +/- 0.001 mm/day and 0.019 +/- 0.001 mm/day, respectively.
Kulbisky
G P
GP
Faculty of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada.
Rickey
D W
DW
Reed
M H
MH
Björklund
N
N
Gordon
R
R
D000557:Ambystoma; D000818:Animals; D006614:Hindlimb / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000502:physiology; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D011859:Radiography; D012038:Regeneration; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods