title: [A trail of three-dimensional visualization technique to observe intraneural microvessels of sciatic nerves in Sprague Dawley rats].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the feasibility of establishing the visualization models of intraneural microvessels of sciatic nerves in Sprague Dawley (SD) rats by systemic infusion of Evan's blue (EB) or lead oxide and to compare the advantages and disadvantages.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifteen healthy adult SD rats of either gender, weighing 200-250 g, were randomly divided into traditional group (group A, n=5), fluorescence group (group B, n=5), and radiography group (group C, n=5). Ink, EB, and lead oxide, all mixed with gelatin solution, were injected in groups A, B, and C, respectively. After 2 hours of cryopreservation under 4 degrees C, all sciatic nerves were harvested and observed through stereomicroscope to make sure the filling condition. The two-dimentional (2D) images were then collected via reflexion fluorescent microscope in group B and via micro-CT scan in group C. All images were imported into computer to establish three-dimentional (3D) reconstruction models by Mimics 15.0.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All groups could show the outline of intraneural microvessels of sciatic nerves under stereomicroscope. Diameters of them were measured under fluorescent microscope, ranging from 10 microm to 30 microm. Both groups B and C could establish 3D reconstruction models from 2D images. These models could clearly reproduce the structure of microvessels.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Both EB and lead oxide can be used to establish 3D reconstruction models to observe structure of the intraneural vessels. However, EB has some disadvantages, such as predisposition to infiltration, grainy 2D images and time-consuming procedure; it is not suitable for researches of large specimen. Though 2D pictures from lead oxide have lower resolution than EB, it is easier to be manipulated and appropriate for experiments of large specimen.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microsurgery and Orthopaedic Trauma, the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou Guangdong, 510080, P.R.China.
authors.forename: Zhaowei
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Yihua
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Mao
authors.forename: Bo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: He
authors.forename: Xiang
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Qingtang
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Liqiang
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gu
authors.forename: Jianwen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.forename: Jiakai
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Maolin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: Xiaolin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D000792:Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D000818:Animals; D003287:Contrast Media; D005070:Evans Blue; D005260:Female; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D007281:Ink; D007854:Lead; D008297:Male; D055806:Microvessels / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D010087:Oxides; D010477:Perfusion / Q000379:methods; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012584:Sciatic Nerve / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D010087:Oxides; D007854:Lead; D005070:Evans Blue; C047365:lead oxide