title: Micro-computed tomography of the head and dentition in cadavers of clinically normal rabbits.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the anatomic features of dentition and surrounding structures of the head in rabbits assessed by use of a newly developed micro-computed tomography (CT) device.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cadavers of 7 clinically normal adult Dendermonde White domestic rabbits raised for human consumption.
  
  
  METHODS
  The rabbits were slaughtered in a slaughterhouse, flayed, and decapitated; the rabbit heads were frozen for micro-CT examination. Transverse images were obtained from the nares to the occipital condyles with a custom-designed micro-CT scanner built at the Ghent University Centre for X-ray Tomography. Scan settings were chosen to highlight bony structures on the basis of the designers' experience. The micro-CT images were reviewed, and all recognizable anatomic features were labeled. Afterward, micro-CT images were used to create 3-D reconstructions by use of a custom-developed reconstruction package and 3-D rendering with dedicated software.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Microstructures of the bones and teeth were clearly visible on micro-CT images. Conversely, soft tissue contrast was relatively poor on these images.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Micro-CT appeared to be a promising technique for appropriate diagnosis of dental disease in rabbits. Further research is needed to determine the clinical applications of micro-CT imaging.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medical Imaging and Small Animal Orthopaedics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium. lieve.de.rycke@scarlet.be
authors.forename: Lieve M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: De Rycke
authors.forename: Matthieu N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Boone
authors.forename: Annemie I
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Van Caelenberg
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dierick
authors.forename: Luc
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Van Hoorebeke
authors.forename: Henri
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: van Bree
authors.forename: Ingrid M
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Gielen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002102:Cadaver; D006257:Head / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D011817:Rabbits / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D014070:Tooth / Q000033:anatomy & histology*