[Animal modeling] - Establishment and analysis of 3D CT visualization model of adult tree shrew skeletal system

  Objective: To establish a three-dimensional visualization model of tree shrew skeletal system, and provide basis for the diagnosis of tree shrew skeletal system diseases.

  Methods: 320 row spiral CT of Aquillon one, Toshiba, Japan was used for scanning, 100 kV, 80 mA, 0.35 s per revolution of the bulb, 1.35 pitch, 0.5 mm image, 0.5 mm interval, and bone algorithm was used for reconstruction. In the parallel computing environment, Vitrea software package is used, Musculoskeletal CT option is selected, and volumetric imaging (VR), multiplanar imaging (MPR), and curved surface imaging (CPR) technologies are used for 3D reconstruction.

  Results: The structure of the reconstructed visual model was obvious and clear, and the three-dimensional model of the tree shrew skeleton system could be reproduced in the computer. In this model, five ridge ridges can be seen on the back of the skull, and four large holes can be seen from the side view: the external nostril at the front end, the suborbital hole at the upper back of the premaxilla, the eye socket covered by the zygomatic arch, and the external auditory canal outside the bubble. In addition, some smaller cranial foramen can be seen, such as optic foramen and submandibular foramen. The imaging technology can be used to quantitatively measure the length, anteroposterior diameter, left and right diameter, body length, tail length and other data of main bones. In particular, we also obtained data that were difficult to measure accurately through anatomy in the past, such as the length of the palate, the length of the molar row and other subtle data, as well as the data that were difficult to obtain the anteroposterior and lateral diameters of the spine through anatomy. At the same time, the 3D visualization technology was used to find the abnormal bone conditions of tree shrews, such as asymmetric pelvic shape, enlarged thorax, fracture, and calcification of synovial bursa around Achilles tendon.

  Conclusion: The established 3D CT visualization technology can determine the special characteristics of tree shrew skeletal system, which is of great significance for non-invasive ecological classification, identification and evolutionary analysis of tree shrew skeletal system.