title: Three-dimensional reconstruction of the lower limb's venous system in human fetuses using the computer-assisted anatomical dissection (CAAD) technique.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the present study was to show the feasibility and describe the first results of a 3D reconstruction of the venous network of the lower limbs in human fetus using the computer-assisted anatomical dissection (CAAD) technique.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used limbs from two human fetuses, respectively, 14 and 15 weeks gestation old. Specimens were fixed in 10% formalin, embedded in paraffin wax and serially sectioned at 10 m. The histological slices were stained using HES and Masson Trichrome for soft tissues identification. Immunolabeling techniques using the Protein S-100 marker and the D2-40 marker were used to identify nerves and vessels, respectively. Stained slices were aligned manually, labeled and digitalized. The segmentation of all anatomical structures was achieved using the WinSurf(®) software after manual drawing.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A 3D interactive vectorial model of the whole leg, including skin, bone, muscles, arteries, veins, and nerves was obtained. In all limbs, we observed the presence of a big axial vein traveling along the sciatic nerve. In addition, the femoral vein appeared as a small plexus. Although this is a common anatomical feature at the end of organogenesis, this feature is observed in only 9% of adults. Usually interpreted as an "anatomical variation of the femoral vein" it should be considered as a light truncular malformation. These observations bring further support to our proposed "angio-guiding nerves" hypothesis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This preliminary study shows that the CAAD technique provided an accurate 3D reconstruction of the fetal leg veins anatomy. It should bring a new insight for the understanding of the different steps of development of the human venous system.
authors.affiliation: URDIA EA4465, Laboratoire d'Anatomie, Université Paris Descartes, 45 rue des Saints Pères, 75006, Paris, France.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kurobe
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hakkakian
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chahim
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Delmas
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vekemans
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Uhl
mesh_terms: D002102:Cadaver; D004210:Dissection / Q000379:methods; D005268:Femoral Vein / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000196:embryology; D005333:Fetus; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010690:Phlebography / Q000379:methods; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000196:embryology; D025321:Surgery, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D014680:Veins / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000196:embryology