Imaging modalities for investigation of the rabbit liver anatomy

In the modern world of science and practice the non-invasive imaging methods are included in anatomical investigation of the liver. Data concerning the rabbit liver imaging anatomical features are scarce and contradictory. The classical anatomical data are also object of discussion. There are two theories which interpret the lobar division of the rabbit liver. The anatomical images by 2D ultrasonography of the rabbit liver were in different planes. The rabbit liver was composed of five lobes. The histosonographic results demonstrated correspondence between the brightness and sharpness of the organ`s images and its histological features. 2D ultrasound study was compared to 3D ultrasound investigation. The visualization of the organ demonstrated a well visible right hepatic lobe, as the left one was subdivided into lateral and medial. The rabbit liver was visualized in three geometric planes. By color Doppler ultrasound, we obtained anatomical information in real time, which gave data for topography of the rabbit liver blood and biliary vessels, connected to variations of the color Doppler spectrum from blue to red gamma. The images of the organ at CT were anatomical scans in transverse, dorsal and sagittal planes. By axial CT study the anatomical data presented topographic features of the organ. Metric information for the size of the organ was collected. By helical CT the information was with higher value and presented the density of the liver lobes and gall bladder in Hounsfield units. The MRI images were in voxel based matrix. T2 sequence was suitable for transversal and sagittal anatomical study of the rabbit liver and its closeness to adjacent organs. T1 was used to study the organ in dorsal plane, because it gave better tissue contrast to rabbit liver toward the close structures from cranial abdominal region.