[A microangiography technique to quantify fasciocutaneous blood vessels in small laboratory animals].
OBJECTIVE
A microangiographic technique is described, which allows visualization of small blood vessels with a diameter of approximately 20 microm and quantification of fasciocutaneous blood vessels by means of digital computer analysis in very small laboratory animals.


METHODS
The left carotid artery of 45 nu/nu mice was cannulated (26 gauge) and a mixture of gelatine, barium sulfate and green ink was injected according to standardized protocol. Fasciocutaneous blood vessels were visualized by digital mammography and analyzed for vessel length and vessel surface area as standardized units (pixel) by computer program.


RESULTS
With the described microangiography method fasciocutaneous blood vessels can be clearly visualized. Regions of interest (ROIs) can be defined and the containing vascular network quantified. Identical ROIs showed a high reproducibility for measured unit (pixel) < 6.5 +/- 2.4 %. By the use of digital image, processing the quantification of vessels was reliable, reproducible and fast.


CONCLUSIONS
Combining microsurgical techniques, pharmacological knowledge and modern computer imaging analysis systems, we were able to visualize and quantify blood vessels with a diameter of approximately 20 microm even in small laboratory animals.
Grzybowski
S
S
Abteilung für Plastische Chirurgie und Handchirurgie, Diakonie-Klinikum Hamburg, Krankenhaus Alten Eichen, Hamburg. s.grzybowski@web.de
Bucsky
B
B
Stöckelhuber
B M
BM
Aach
T
T
Condurache
A
A
Mailänder
P
P
Machens
H G
HG
D000792:Angiography / Q000295:instrumentation*; D000818:Animals; D005205:Fascia / Q000098:blood supply*; D005260:Female; D008327:Mammography / Q000295:instrumentation; D051379:Mice; D008819:Mice, Nude; D008853:Microscopy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic / Q000502:physiology*; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement / Q000295:instrumentation; D051381:Rats; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000502:physiology; D012867:Skin / Q000098:blood supply*