Three-dimensional analysis of rodent paranasal sinus cavities from X-ray computed tomography (CT) scans.
Continuous isometric microfocal X-ray computed tomography (CT) scans were acquired from an AKR/J mouse, Brown-Norway rat, and Hartley guinea pig. The anatomy and volume of the paranasal sinus cavities were defined from 2-dimensional (2-D) and 3-dimensional (3-D) CT images. Realistic 3-D images were reconstructed and used to determine the anterior maxillary, posterior maxillary, and ethmoid sinus cavity airspace volumes (mouse: 0.6, 0.7, and 0.7 mm(3), rat: 8.6, 7.7, and 7.0 mm(3), guinea pig: 63.5, 46.6 mm(3), and no ethmoid cavity, respectively). The mouse paranasal sinus cavities are similar to the corresponding rat cavities, with a reduction in size, while the corresponding maxillary sinus cavities in the guinea pig are different in size, location, and architecture. Also, the ethmoid sinus cavity is connected by a common drainage pathway to the posterior maxillary sinus in mouse and rat while a similar ethmoid sinus was not present in the guinea pig. We conclude that paranasal sinus cavity airspace opacity (2-D) or volume (3-D) determined by micro-CT scanning may be used to conduct longitudinal studies on the patency of the maxillary sinus cavities of rodents. This represents a potentially useful endpoint for developing and testing drugs in a small animal model of sinusitis.
Phillips
Jonathan E
JE
Pulmonary and Peripheral Neurobiology, Schering-Plough Research Institute, Kenilworth, NJ 07033, USA. jonathan.phillips@spcorp.com
Ji
Lunan
L
Rivelli
Maria A
MA
Chapman
Richard W
RW
Corboz
Michel R
MR
D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D023421:Models, Animal; D010256:Paranasal Sinuses / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D051381:Rats; D012377:Rodentia / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D012852:Sinusitis / Q000473:pathology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000662:veterinary*