Three-Dimensional Reconstruction of Stomach and Intestines in New Zealand White Rabbits from Computerized Tomography Images

The aim of this study was to produce three-dimensional reconstructions of organs of the gastro-intestinal system obtained from computerized tomography images. A total of 16 New Zealand White rabbits were used. Computed tomographic imaging was performed in the prone position in fasted rabbits under general anesthesia using contrast medium administered both orally and rectally. Axial images obtained from computed tomography were stored in DICOM format and transferred to CD. Three-dimensional reconstructions were produced using MIMICS (R) 12.1 computer software. The lengths of stomach, duodenum, jejunum, ileum, cecum, appendix and colon were measured in centimeters after euthanized. The volume and surface area of the organs of the gastro-intestinal system were calculated automatically by the computer software. The jejunum was the longest portion (p<0.05) of the gastrointestinal system. The small and large intestines had the largest surface area (p<0.05) compared to stomach and cecum, while the cecum had the largest volume (p<0.05) compared to stomach, small and large intestines. The surface areas of the stomach, cecum and intestines to the total gastro-intestinal system area were 11%, 39% and 48%, respectively. The volumes of the stomach, cecum, and intestines to the total gastro-intestinal system volume were 17%, 59% and 23%, respectively. In the ventral view of the abdominal cavity the stomach was observed in the cranial abdominal cavity; ileum and colon were determined in the median line of abdominal cavity and cecum filled the rest of the abdominal cavity. In conclusion, the results obtained using this technology as applied in this study may be a key to future investigations and to a new approach to anatomical science.