Alcobaça Mayla Magalhães de Oliveira, Bittencourt Athelson Stefanon, Monteiro Yuri Favalessa, Chaim Khallil Taverna, Banhos Aureo, de Assis Neto Antônio Chaves
Department of Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
Department of Morphology, Federal University of Espírito Santo, Vitória, Brazil.
Front Vet Sci. 2025 Aug 7;12:1600763. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2025.1600763. eCollection 2025.
With the advancements in diagnostic imaging and its increasing use in veterinary medicine, it is essential for professionals to continuously update their knowledge and seek training in the anatomy of various wild animal species. Plastination allows for the preservation of biological tissues and their anatomical details, enhancing the study and identification of structures.
This study aimed (1) to describe in detail the anatomy of the thoracic and pelvic limbs of the crab-eating fox () using plastinated metameric sections correlated with computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and (2) to analyze tissue shrinkage resulting from plastination. Limbs from four animals of both sexes were scanned using CT and MRI, and the resulting images were saved in DICOM format. The limbs were then plastinated using the silicone technique with forced impregnation at -18 °C, including fixation, dehydration, impregnation, and curing. Measurements of weight, thickness, and volume were taken before dehydration and after curing to assess shrinkage. Three-dimensional reconstructions and multiplanar virtual dissections were also performed to identify and describe anatomical structures.
The study enabled detailed identification and description of anatomical structures in plastinated transverse sections and their correlation with corresponding axial CT and MRI images, as well as the 3D reconstruction of the limbs for anatomical correspondence with each sectioned region. Qualitatively, the specimens showed excellent preservation of anatomical features, allowing for clear visualization and identification of structures while maintaining their syntopic relationships. The plastinated material was rigid, easy to handle, odorless, and free from toxic characteristics. Quantitative analysis demonstrated minimal shrinkage in the plastinated tissues.
Plastinated metameric sections of the thoracic and pelvic limbs of , when correlated with CT and MRI, proved to be an effective tool for anatomical studies. This integrated approach improves anatomical understanding, supports the interpretation of imaging studies, enhances educational resources, and benefits veterinary professionals in both anatomy and diagnostic imaging. The minimal tissue shrinkage observed did not compromise the quality or anatomical integrity of the specimens.
随着诊断成像技术的进步及其在兽医学中的使用日益增加，专业人员不断更新知识并寻求各种野生动物物种解剖学方面的培训至关重要。塑化技术能够保存生物组织及其解剖细节，有助于对结构进行研究和识别。
本研究旨在：（1）使用与计算机断层扫描（CT）和磁共振成像（MRI）相关的塑化分节切片详细描述食蟹狐（）胸肢和盆腔肢的解剖结构；（2）分析塑化导致的组织收缩情况。对四只不同性别的动物的肢体进行CT和MRI扫描，并将所得图像保存为DICOM格式。然后采用硅胶技术在-18°C下进行强制浸渍对肢体进行塑化，包括固定、脱水、浸渍和固化。在脱水前和固化后测量重量、厚度和体积以评估收缩情况。还进行了三维重建和多平面虚拟解剖以识别和描述解剖结构。
本研究能够在塑化横切片中详细识别和描述解剖结构，并将其与相应的轴向CT和MRI图像相关联，以及对肢体进行三维重建以与每个切片区域进行解剖对应。定性地说，标本的解剖特征保存良好，在保持其相邻关系的同时能够清晰地观察和识别结构。塑化材料坚硬、易于操作、无气味且无毒。定量分析表明塑化组织收缩极小。
食蟹狐胸肢和盆腔肢的塑化分节切片与CT和MRI相关联时，被证明是解剖学研究的有效工具。这种综合方法有助于提高对解剖学的理解、支持对影像学研究的解读、增强教育资源，并使兽医专业人员在解剖学和诊断成像方面都受益。观察到的极小组织收缩并未损害标本的质量或解剖完整性。
