Robert W. Henry

Dog kidney: Anatomical relationships between intrarenal arteries and kidney collecting system

The detailed findings of canine intrarenal anatomy (collecting system and arteries) are presented. Ninety‐five three‐dimensional endocasts of the kidney collecting system together with the intrarenal arteries were prepared using standard injection–corrosion techniques and were studied. A single renal artery was observed in 88.4% of the casts. The renal artery divided into a dorsal and a ventral branch. Using the branching pattern of the ventral and dorsal divisions of the renal artery, the vessels were classified in type I or type II. Type I presented a cranial and a caudal artery, whereas type II presented a mesorenal and a caudal artery. Cranial branches of dorsal and ventral arteries supplied the cranial pole in 90.5% of the specimens. Caudal branches of the dorsal and the ventral divisions of the renal artery irrigated both the caudal pole and the mid‐zone of the kidney in 95.8% and 98.9% of the cases, respectively. In all casts, caudal branches of both dorsal and ventral arteries supplied the caudal pole. Therefore, the caudal branches of the ventral and dorsal divisions of the renal artery are of utmost importance in the kidney arterial supply. Although many results of renal and intrarenal anatomy in dogs may not be completely transposed to humans, the anatomical relationship between arteries and the collecting system in the cranial pole of the dog kidney is similar to those in man. This fact supports the use of the dog as an animal model for urologic procedures at the cranial pole. Anat Rec, 290:1017–1022, 2007.

Potentiation of BrCCl3 hepatotoxicity by chlordecone: Biochemical and ultrastructural study

Previous work has established that chlordecone (CD) potentiates the hepatotoxicity of BrCCl3. This interaction occurs at nontoxic levels of CD and BrCCl3. The present research was designed to investigate the mechanism governing the pathogenesis of potentiated hepatic injury and lethality induced by a low dose of BrCCl3 after dietary pretreatment with 10 ppm of CD for 15 days. On Day 16, a single dose of BrCCl3 (30 microliters/kg) was administered ip to rats maintained either on normal diet (ND) or on a diet contaminated with 10 ppm CD. Blood and liver samples were collected at 0, 3, 6, 12, 24, 36, and 48 hr after the halomethane administration for biochemical (ATP, bilirubin, glycogen) and for ultrastructural studies. A continuous increase in serum bilirubin and decrease in hepatic ATP and glycogen were observed in CD + BrCCl3 combination, indicating progressive injury, but not in other treatment groups. In ND + BrCCl3 combination, all biochemical indices were either normal or close to normal after 36 hr, suggesting complete recovery from hepatotoxicity. The most extensive ultrastructural changes characteristic of halomethane hepatotoxicity (necrosis, ballooned cells, and dilation of rough endoplasmic reticulum) were observed after the CD + BrCCl3 combination treatment. The progressive and early depletion of hepatic ATP and glycogen, and the progressive increase in toxicity along with decreased cell division in CD + BrCCl3-treated rats, indicate the association of compromised energy status and suppression of cell division and tissue repair in CD-potentiated BrCCl3 toxicity. These findings suggest that the suppression of stimulated hepatocellular regeneration results in the loss of the essential mechanism of tissue repair leading to continuation of the toxic liver injury associated with the CD + BrCCl3 combination treatment.

Plastinated heart slices aid echocardiographic interpretation in the dog.

Our aim was to compare plastinated sections of the canine heart with corresponding two-dimensional (2D) echocardiographic images. Thirteen dog hearts were fixed by dilation and then processed by the S10 silicon plastination method (Biodur). Two dogs without evidence of cardiac disease were imaged using 2D echocardiography so as to obtain a complete series of the standard right and left parasternal images, which were compared with corresponding plastinated slices obtained by knife sectioning of the hearts. The plastinated slices revealed the internal anatomy of the heart with great detail and were particularly useful to display the spatial relationship between complex anatomic structures. The plastinated slices corresponded accurately with the echocardiographic images. Because of the dilation of the right heart during the fixation process, it was not possible to obtain plastinated specimens in ventricular systole. This paper may be a reference atlas for assisting 2D echocardiography interpretation.

Characterization of a novel anthropomorphic plastinated lung phantom

Phantoms are widely used during the development of new imaging systems and algorithms. For development and optimization of new imaging systems such as tomosynthesis, where conventional image quality metrics may not be applicable, a realistic phantom that can be used across imaging systems is desirable. A novel anthropomorphic lung phantom was developed by plastination of an actual pig lung. The plastinated phantom is characterized and compared with reference to in vivo images of the same tissue prior to plastination using high resolution 3D CT. The phantom is stable over time and preserves the anatomical features and relative locations of the in vivo sample. The volumes for different tissue types in the phantom are comparable to the in vivo counterparts, and CT numbers for different tissue types fall within a clinically useful range. Based on the measured CT numbers, the phantom cardiac tissue experienced a 92% decrease in bulk density and the phantom pulmonary tissue experienced a 78% decrease in bulk density compared to their in vivo counterparts. By-products in the phantom from the room temperature vulcanizing silicone and plastination process are also identified. A second generation phantom, which eliminates most of the by-products, is presented. Such anthropomorphic phantoms can be used to evaluate a wide range of novel imaging systems.

Macroscopic Anatomy of the Heart of the Ringed Seal (Phoca hispida)

Anatomical properties of the ringed seal (Phoca hispida) heart and associated blood vessels reveal adaptations related to requirements for diving. Seven adult ringed seals were embalmed and dissected to document the gross anatomical features of the heart. Computed tomography images of the thoracic cavity were taken on one seal prior to dissection. The shape and position of the heart is different from the typical carnivore heart. The most notable difference is its dorsoventral flattened appearance with its right and left sides positioned, respectively, within the thoracic cavity. The long axis of the heart is positioned horizontally, parallel to the sternum. The right ventricle is spacious with thin walls which extend caudally to the apex of the heart such that the apex is comprised of both right and left ventricles. The cusps of the left atrioventricular valve of the ringed seal heart resemble an uninterrupted, circular curtain making it challenging to distinguish the divisions into parietal and septal cusps.

Plastinated Canine Gastrointestinal Tracts Used to Facilitate Teaching of Endoscopic Technique and Anatomy

Plastinated specimens, when prepared with a design for endoscopic use, can serve as a practical model for teaching. Intact alimentary canals were excised from fresh canine cadayers. Cannulas in excess of the intended endoscope size (9.6 mm diameter) were placed in restrictive openings [cardiac ostium (ostium cardiacum), pyloric ostium (ostium pyloricum) and cecocolic orifice (ostium cecocolicum)]. These cannulas allowed ingesta to be removed and maintained adequate diameters for endoscoping. After flushing out the gastrointestinal contents, specimens were formaldehyde-fixed overnight in a dilated anatomical conformation. Prior to S10/S3 impregnation, fixative was flushed from the specimens and they were dehydrated in acetone. After impregnation, slow cure (elongation of S3 molecules at room temperature) was allowed to proceed for approximately 1 week. The gastrointestinal tracts were maintained in a dilated conformation by a positive pressure air flow. When polymer seepage was minimal, they were cured using small quantities of S6 (final curing agent). The curing agent was contained around the specimen by enclosing the specimens in plastic bags. The plastinated specimens retain their dilated anatomical conformation, and may be used to teach both endoscopic technique and gastrointestinal anatomy.

Excision of the Deep Branch of the Lateral Palmar Nerve of Horses to Resolve Lameness Caused by Proximal Suspensory Desmitis

OBJECTIVE To assess outcome after neurectomy of the deep branch of the lateral palmar nerve (DBLPaN) as a treatment for horses with persistent lameness associated with chronic proximal suspensory desmitis (PSD) of the thoracic limb. STUDY DESIGN Case series. ANIMALS Adult, mixed-breed horses (n = 4), weighing 510-585 kg, used for amateur show-jumping. METHODS Records of 4 horses chronically lame because of PSD of one or both thoracic limbs that were treated by neurectomy of the DBLPaN were reviewed. The site of pain causing lameness was localized using regional anesthesia. The proximal aspect of the suspensory ligament of the affected limb(s) of all horses were enlarged on ultrasonographic examination, but fiber disruption was not observed. All horses remained lame after conservative therapy. Neurectomy was performed with the horses anesthetized and positioned in dorsal recumbency. RESULTS All 4 horses were sound at 6 weeks and remained sound for at least 12 months after neurectomy. CONCLUSION Lameness in horses caused by chronic PSD can be resolved by neurectomy of the DBLPaN in horses that are refractory to conservative management.

The Dog Kidney as Experimental Model in Endourology: Anatomic Contribution

Abstract A systematic study of the morphometry and the collecting system of the canine kidney is presented and compared with previous findings in humans. Renal measurements (kidney length, width, and thickness) were recorded. In addition, 110 three-dimensional endocasts of the kidney collecting system were produced and studied. Anatomic details, important to research and surgical training in endourology, were observed and recorded in canine kidneys. Dogs whose height was more than 70 cm at the withers presented similar kidney measurements to those found in the adult human. The collecting system consisted only of a renal pelvis with a variable number of recesses around its perimeter. The dog kidney is not a good model for experimental studies that consider the morphology of the collecting system. Kidneys from dogs taller than 70 cm, however, might be useful as a model in experimental studies in which renal volume is an important aspect, such as shockwave lithotripsy and endourology.

The Bovine Kidney as an Experimental Model in Urology: External Gross anatomy

The objective of this work was to obtain and record detailed and accurate measurements of the bovine kidney and to compare these new data with findings in humans. Thirty-eight bovine kidneys were used. The total number of lobes, along with the number of lobes located in the cranial polar, caudal polar and hilar regions, were recorded. Several measurements of the kidneys were made and evaluated. The hilar region presents the greatest length (mean of 76.87 mm) of the 3 renal regions of the kidney. The large area of the bovine renal hilus could make access to hilar structures easier than in the human kidney. The coefficient of variation for renal length was small (8.14%), while the coefficient of variation for the lobar number was high (26.82%). The number of renal lobes ranged from 13 to 35, with a mean of 20.62. The hilar region presents the highest number of lobes, while the cranial pole presents the lowest. The number of lobes in the cranial and caudal poles increases with the width of these regions. This is different from the hilar region, in which the lobar number increases with the length of the hilus. These data indicate that the adult bovine kidney can be used as a model for certain urologic procedures, but researchers must be aware that there are some major differences between the adult bovine kidney and the human kidney, as indicated by the data reported in this paper.

Proportional analysis of the pig renal parenchyma and sinus structures.

Aims: This study was performed to determine the proportion of the parenchyma and sinus structures of pig kidneys and the distance between the collecting system and the kidney surface. Methods: Forty-one pig kidneys were analyzed. Cavalieri’s principle was used to obtain the volume of the cortex, medulla and sinus, as well the proportions of the arteries, veins and collecting system in the sinus. Results: The volume of the renal parenchyma varied from 129 to 488.4 cm3. The renal cortex was 83.79% and the medulla 16.21%. The collecting system occupied the greatest part of the sinus, ranging from 34.78 to 71.91% of the renal sinus. The collecting system was closer to the dorsal than to the ventral surface in the cranial pole (p < 0.001) and the hilar zone (p < 0.01). The distance from the collecting system to the medial border was shorter than that to the lateral border in the caudal pole (p < 0.001). Conclusion: With this new information about the variation in thickness of the pig renal parenchyma, continued studies using the pig model are needed to support the use of radiofrequency ablation and cryoablation in deep and large renal tumors with a component in the renal sinus.