Journal Article

(P 106) CT-Assisted Virtual Endoscopy: an Innovative Imaging Tool for the Assessment of Engineered Tissue

Tan, J, Yoo, J J, Orabi, HO, Atala, A

2008

Overview

Introduction: Computerized Tomography (CT) has available for many decades. Although the capabilities of conventional CT scanners is limited by visualizing anatomical structures, technological advances in hardware improvement and sophisticated software development have allowed for expanded utilization. We examined the capabilities of a three-dimensional CT scanner and enabling software to provide a virtual endoscopic tool for assessment of tabularized engineered tissue in vivo. Methods: We used a Toshiba 32-Slice Aquilion scanner, capable of imaging 0.5 mm-thick tissue slices. Double imaging could provide visualization every 0.25 mm. The scanned images were processed with the TeraRecon Aquarius Work station, which provides 2-4 dimensional viewing capabilities. CT-guided ure-throcystographic examinations were performed in 12 male beagles that underwent urethral surgery using a 6 cm-long tabularized engineered construct. Pre and post-operative scanning was performed in conjunction with retrograde urethrograms and voiding cystour-ethrography for comparison, and animals were sacrificed at predetermined time points. Urethral diameter, length and area of lumen were measured. Results: Scanned images were converted into movie files, which allowed for accurate analyses from various angles. The pre and post-operative scans of each animal correlated with retrograde urethrograms and cystourethrography. The surgical sites were readily identified in detail. Gross examination of the retrieved urethras confirmed all the anatomical details visualized by virtual urethroscopy. Conclusions: These findings show that CT-assisted virtual urethroscopy allows for accurate visualization of the urethral lumen, and provides an accurate assessment of tissue integrity. This technological non-invasive tool may play an important role in the evaluation of tabularized engineered tissues in vivo.

• Subject: Aquarius