title: The visualization of hepatic vasculature by X-ray micro-computed tomography.
abstract: In this study, X-ray micro-computed tomography (CT) was used to reconstruct the fine structure macro- and microvasculature in three dimensions in contrast-enhanced rat liver samples. The subsequent application in the experimental CC531s colorectal cancer model was concurrent with results obtained from confocal microscopy in earlier studies. The en bloc stains osmium tetroxide in combination with uranyl acetate provided an excellent contrasting result for hepatic tissue after a trial of several contrasting agents. X-ray micro-CT allowed us to image the large blood vessels together with the branching sinusoids of hepatic tissue in three dimensions. Furthermore, interruption of the microvasculature was noted when rats were injected with CC531s colorectal cancer cells indicating the presence of hepatic metastases.
authors.affiliation: Australian Key Centre for Microscopy and Microanalysis, Electron Microscope Unit, The University of Sydney NSW 2006, Australia.
authors.forename: Shalini
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ananda
authors.forename: Valerie
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Marsden
authors.forename: Katrien
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Vekemans
authors.forename: Emine
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Korkmaz
authors.forename: Naomi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tsafnat
authors.forename: Lilian
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Soon
authors.forename: Allan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: Filip
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Braet
mesh_terms: D000792:Angiography; D000818:Animals; D001808:Blood Vessels / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D002196:Capillaries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008099:Liver / Q000098:blood supply*; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron / Q000379:methods*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*