Computed tomography and three dimensional anatomical study of the liver in the chinchilla (Chinchilla lanigera)

Few instances of neoplastic formations in the liver of chinchillas have been found, even though the species is widely used in different scientific experiments. In the present article we investigate the anatomical features of the chinchilla's liver using CT and three dimension (3D) imaging. For the trials we used 12 (six males and six females) clinically healthy chinchillas all at 18 months of age. The animals were positioned in dorsal recumbency. We used Th8 to L2 vertebrae and the sternum as bone markers for the transverse CT study. The investigated anatomical landmarks for the CT coronal study were the vertebrae, costal arch, soft abdominal wall, diaphragm, stomach and the right kidney. 3D reconstructions were accomplished with a specific imaging software. On transverse and coronal CT images, the chinchilla's liver was composed of lobus hepatis sinister lateralis, 'middle lobe'-without proper Latin term in NAV 2017, lobus hepatis dexter and lobus caudatus. The 'middle lobe' was separated into the 'left middle lobe' and the 'right middle lobe'. Lobus hepatis dexter consisted of lobus hepatis dexter medialis and lobus hepatis dexter lateralis. There was an anatomical relation between the liver, fundus ventriculi and corpus ventriculi. Proc. caudatus was in close contact with the right kidney. Vesica fellea was elongated and ellipsoid. 3D reformatted images confirmed the results obtained by transverse and coronal CT studies. The CT density of the liver in HU was 195.6 ± 73.1. The CT and 3D reconstructed images were visualized at high resolution. This data could be used as a basis for further morphological and imaging studies.

MRI Anatomical Investigation of Rabbit Bulbourethral Glands

Anatomical MRI is appropriate for the interpretation of soft tissue findings in the retroperitoneal part of the pelvic cavity. The aim of the current study was to use rabbits as an imaging model to optimize MRI protocols for the investigation of bulbourethral glands. The research was conducted on twelve clinically healthy, sexually mature male rabbits, eight months of age (New Zealand White), weighing 2.8 kg to 3.2 kg. Tunnel MRI equipment was used. The transverse MRI in the T2-weighted sequence obtained detailed images that were of higher anatomical contrast than those in T1-weighted sequences. The hyperintensity of the glandular findings at T2, compared to the adjacent soft tissues, was due to the content of secretory fluids. The quality of the anatomical tissue contrast has not shown much dependence on the choice of the sequence in dorsal MRI. The sagittal visualization of the rabbit bulbourethral glands corresponded to the localization of the research plane toward a median plane. The imaging results could be used as a morphological base for clinical practice and reproduction.