Three dimensional modeling and quantitative analysis of long bone parameters of rabbit using micro-computed tomography

Background: Micro-computed tomography (mu CT), a modern imaging technique, provides detailed information on the bone morphology of small animal models. Aims: The objectives are 1) to produce three dimensional (3D) models from mu CT images of femoral and tibial bones of New Zealand rabbits, and 2) to estimate and compare morphometric and volumetric results among genders as well as left and right sides. Methods: A total of twenty adult New Zealand rabbits (10 females, 10 males, aged 12-18 weeks, weight = 2.5-3 kg) were used for this study. Three dimensional reconstructed models of the femoral and tibial bones of rabbits were created from cross-sectional images of mu CT using the 3D Slicer program. Anatomical structures were determined on these 3D bone models. Afterward, morphometric parameters such as length, thickness, and width of various parts of the bones were calculated with volume and volume ratio values of cortical bone, trabecular bone, and medullary cavity. Results: The gender*laterality interaction term was found statistically significant in measurements of femoral diaphysis diameter (FDD), internal femoral diaphysis diameter (IFDD), femoral head diameter (FHD), tibial diaphysis diameter (TDD), tibial distal width (TDH), and tibial proximal width (TPW) (P<0.001). The gender*laterality interaction term was not significant in volume and volume fraction values of cortical bone, trabecular bone, and medullary cavity (P>0.05). Conclusion: It is thought that the study will contribute to the orthopedic experimental studies of rabbits for femoral and tibial bones and will bring a modern perspective to the field of veterinary anatomy.