scholarly journals Angiology of the Plantar Plate

2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 2473011417S0001
Author(s):  
Fred Finney ◽  
Basma Khoury ◽  
Jaron Scott ◽  
Ken Kozloff ◽  
Todd Irwin ◽  
...  

Category: Basic Sciences/Biologics, Lesser Toes, Midfoot/Forefoot Introduction/Purpose: Hammertoes, crossover toes, and claw toes are common deformities and can be a major source of pain and dysfunction. These deformities result from instability of the metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint due to incompetence of the plantar plate and/or collateral ligaments. Non-operative management is the first line of treatment. When non-operative treatment is unsuccessful, surgical interventions have been described. Newer surgical techniques focus on performing anatomic repairs of plantar plates. The vasculature of the foot has been well studied, but the vascular supply of the plantar plate has not been described. This study presents a new technique for imaging the microvasculature of the lesser toe plantar plates through micro- computed tomography (micro-CT) in order to better understand tear pathology and the capacity of healing with plantar plate repairs. Methods: The posterior tibial and dorsalis pedis arteries of a fresh frozen human cadaver foot were dissected and cannulated at the ankle for perfusion distally. After administration of an anticoagulant, each artery was perfused with Microfil® Silicone Rubber, a contrast agent. The compound was then allowed to cure, and the foot was fixed in formalin. The foot was sectioned through the metatarsal shafts for imaging, and imaging of the lesser toe MTP joints was performed using a Bruker Skyscan 1176 micro-CT scanner at 18 micron slices. Computerized reconstruction of the images was performed for three dimensional visualization of the vasculature. Results: Post-perfusion imaging of the lesser toe MTP joints using micro-CT allows for visualization of the plantar plate microvasculature. Preliminary imaging suggests that micro-CT is a useful modality for analysis of the blood supply of the plantar plate. Conclusion: Anatomic repair of the plantar plate has become a viable treatment option for MTP joint instability. One important question that remains to be answered is whether plantar plate tears have the capacity to heal. We present a novel technique for imaging of lesser toe plantar plate microvascularity using micro-CT. Preliminary results of post-perfusion imaging of the plantar plate are promising for developing a better understanding of its blood supply. Further definition of the plantar plate vascular supply will help clinicians understand the capacity for healing after repairs and may provide some insight to the biological causes plantar plate tears.

2018 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 457-464 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fred T. Finney ◽  
Aaron McPheters ◽  
Natalie V. Singer ◽  
Jaron C. Scott ◽  
Karl J. Jepsen ◽  
...  

Background: Lesser toe plantar plate attenuation or disruption is being increasingly implicated in a variety of common clinical conditions. A multitude of surgical techniques and devices have been recently developed to facilitate surgical repair of the plantar plate. However, the microvascular anatomy, and therefore the healing potential in large part, has not been defined. We investigated the microvasculature of the plantar plate by employing a novel technique involving microvascular perfusion and nano–computed tomography (nano-CT) imaging. Methods: Twelve human adult cadaveric lower extremities were amputated distal to the knee. The anterior and posterior tibial arteries were perfused with a barium solution. The soft tissues of each foot were then counterstained with phosphomolybdic acid (PMA). The second through fourth toe metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joints of 12 feet were imaged with nano-CT at 14-micron resolution. Images were then reconstructed for analysis of the plantar plate microvasculature and calculation of the vascular density along the length of the plantar plate. Results: A microvascular network extends from the surrounding soft tissues at the attachments of the plantar plate on both the metatarsal and proximal phalanx. The midsubstance of the plantar plate appears to be relatively hypovascular. Analysis of the vascular density along the length of the plantar plate demonstrated a consistent trend with increased vascular density at approximately the proximal 29% and distal 22% of the plantar plate. Conclusion: There is a vascular network extending from the surrounding soft tissues into the proximal and distal attachments of the plantar plate. Clinical relevance: The hypovascular midportion of the plantar plate may play an important role in the underlying pathoanatomy and pathophysiology of this area. These findings may have significant clinical implications for the reparative potential of this region and the surgical procedures currently described to accomplish anatomic plantar plate repair.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dominik Göldner ◽  
Fotios Alexandros Karakostis ◽  
Armando Falcucci

This protocol presents the first detailed step-by-step pipeline for the 3D scanning and post processing of large batches of lithic artefacts using a micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) scanner (i.e., a Phoenix v-tome-x S model by General Electronics MCC, Boston MA) and an Artec Space Spider scanner (Artec Inc., Luxembourg). This protocol was used to scan and analyze ca. 700 lithic artefacts from the Protoaurignacian layers at Fumane Cave in north-eastern Italy (Falcucci et al., in preparation). For this study several costly scanners and proprietary software packages were employed. Although it is not easy to find a low-budget alternative for the scanners, it is possible to use free and open-source software programs, such as 3D-Slicer (https://www.slicer.org/) or MorphoDig (https://morphomuseum.com/morphodig), to process CT data as well as MeshLab (Cignoni et al. 2008) to interact with the 3D models in general. However, if alternative software is used, the steps and their order described in this protocol might diverge significantly. A cost-effective alternative to create 3D models is digital photogrammetry using commercial cameras and freely available software like Meshroom (https://alicevision.org). Although photogrammetry is an affordable technique to create accurate 3D models of objects, this method might not be useful when scanning large batches of artefacts, as it will require a lot of computation time and processing capacity. Likewise, it could be difficult to generate accurate 3D models of very small and/or detailed tool shapes using 3D surface scanners because stone tools are often much smaller than the recommended minimum field of view. Similarly, the resolution of conventional medical CT scanners might not be sufficient to capture minor details of stone tools, such as the outline or dorsal scars. Thus, high-resolution micro-CT technology is the only reliable way to accurately capture the overall morphology of small stone tools. This protocol aims at providing the first detailed procedure dedicated to the scanning of small lithic implements for further three-dimensional analysis. Note that some of the steps must be repeated at different working stages throughout this protocol. In cases where a task must be done in the exact same way as described in a previous step, a reference to that step is provided. When slight changes were made, the step was modified and reported entirely. This protocol contains a few red and green colours (e.g., arrows or within-program colours) which might be perceived differently by people with dyschromatopsia. However, the display of these colours has been kept to a minimum. We recommend the reader to go over the entire protocol carefully, even if only some specific parts are required. A few points are in fact interdependent, and some of them must be applied simultaneously. Content: Part 1 – Styrofoam preparation Part 2 – Micro-CT scanning Part 3 – 3D model extraction of CT scanned stone artifacts using Avizo Part 4 – Cropping extracted surface model to separate Face A and B in Artec Studio Part 5 – Cropping Face A to separate the lines in Artec Studio Part 6 – Cropping each stone artefact from the lines in Artec Studio Part 7 – Virtually control measurements in MeshLab Part 8 – Artec scanning of larger artifacts Part 9 – Export meshes as non-binary ply models for successive analysis in geomorph Three-dimensional example (in ply format) of the effectivity of the StyroStone Protocol: You can download an example of one Styrofoam line in 3D obtained using our protocol to appreciate the result that can be achieved. We have selected a line where objects are characterized by different metric and morphological attributes. Notice the retouching well visible in the last five smaller artifacts (counting from the left when artifact are oriented with the dorsal face in front of the observer and the butt down), as well as the platforms and bulbs of all artifacts. For more information and examples, feel free to contact us!


2007 ◽  
Vol 103 (5) ◽  
pp. 1848-1856 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wilfred W. Lam ◽  
David W. Holdsworth ◽  
Louise Y. Du ◽  
Maria Drangova ◽  
David G. McCormack ◽  
...  

We measured ventilation (V̇) in seven anesthetized, mechanically ventilated, supine Wistar rats. Images of the whole lung were continuously acquired using a dynamic, flat-panel volumetric micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) scanner during ventilation with a xenon/oxygen (Xe-O2) gas mixture. Forty time-resolved volumes consisting of eighty 0.45-mm-thick slices (covering the entire lung) were acquired in 40 s, using a gantry rotation rate of one rotation per second. The animals were ventilated at a respiratory rate of 60 breaths/min, matching the gantry rotation rate, and imaged without suspending ventilation. A previously published theoretical model was modified slightly and used to calculate the whole lung ventilation from volumes of interest generated by seeded region growing. Linear regression of calculated whole lung ventilation volumes vs. expected tidal volumes yielded a slope of 1.12 ± 0.11 (slope ± SE) and a y-intercept of −1.56 ± 0.42 ml ( y-intercept ± SE) with 95% confidence intervals of 0.83 to 1.40 and −2.6 to −0.5 ml, respectively. The same model was used to calculate the regional ventilation in axial slices for each animal. Voxels were fit to the model to yield a map of V̇, which displayed an anterior/posterior gravitational gradient of (−3.9 ± 1.8) × 10−6 ml·s−1·cm−1 for slices immediately superior to the diaphragm and (−6.0 ± 2.4) × 10−6 ml·s−1·cm−1 for slices at the midlevel of the heart (mean ± SD). Thus continuous Xe-enhanced computed tomography enables the noninvasive determination of regional V̇ with the temporal and spatial resolution necessary for rats.


Foot & Ankle ◽  
1992 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 359-363 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Sobel ◽  
Jun Hashimoto ◽  
Steven P. Arnoczky ◽  
Walther H.O. Bohne

The microvascular anatomy of the sesamoid complex was investigated in 15 cadaver specimens using histology and tissue clearing (Spalteholz) techniques. It was found that both sesamoids appeared equally well vascularized and the vascular supply to each sesamoid originated from two major sources (proximal and plantar) and one minor source (distal). Proximally, vessels originating from the first plantar metatarsal artery enter the sesamoid at its attachment to the flexor hallucis brevis. In addition, vessels enter the plantar surface of the sesamoid near the midline and arborize throughout the bone, anastamosing with the proximal vessels. The distal vascular supply to the sesamoids originates from its distal capsular attachment and appears to contribute minimally to the overall vascular scheme. The lateral attachments of the sesamoids to the plantar plate and joint capsule were relatively avascular. In two bipartite specimens examined, the major blood supply originated from the proximal and distal poles of the sesamoid. No vessels were observed entering the plantar surface of these specimens. The results of this study suggest that injury to the proximal or plantar aspects of the sesamoids could disrupt the vascular supply to these bones. These areas should, therefore, be avoided during the surgical approach to the sesamoids.


Author(s):  
Mohammadreza Fouladi ◽  
Kamran Gholami ◽  
Hossein Ghadiri

X-ray Computed Tomography (CT), e.g. clinical CT scanners, basically provides Linear Attenuation Coefficients (LACs) of objects under study by the means of algorithmic reconstruction of acquired views of attenuated X-ray passing through the samples in different angles around the imaged sample. Micro Computed Tomography (micro-CT) basically works the same as clinical CT. It provides volumetric information representing the inner structure of objects with a resolution in the micron range. LOTUS-inVivo is a micro-CT scanner dedicated to imaging of small animals and ex-vivo biological samples. In the present study the spatial resolution and Low Contrast Detectability (LCD) of LOTUS-inVivo scanner were evaluated using standard phantoms. We aimed to prove the capability of LOTUS-inVivo for small animal and ex-vivo biological samples imaging using the measured image quality parameters, i.e. spatial resolution and low contrast detectability. By the means of analysis of bar and LCD phantom images, the limiting resolution of LOTUS-inVivo micro-CT scanner was measured about 2.7 µm and has been shown that it’s capable of resolving sizes greater than 12.5 µm. Also, we concluded that LOTUS-inVivo is capable of discriminating tissues with 3% differences in contrast relative to the background, for 1 mm bar size. Thus, the provided technical characteristics in this study have made LOTUS-inVivo as a suitable tool for small animal imaging.


2014 ◽  
Vol 625 ◽  
pp. 509-516 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohd Amirul Syafiq Mohd Yunos ◽  
Siti Aslina Hussain ◽  
Hamdan Mohamed Yusoff ◽  
Jaafar Abdullah

Radioactive Particle Tracking (RPT) technique has emerged as a potential and versatile technique, both in terms of richness of information and applicability to a variety of multiphase flow systems. RPT is not an off-the-shelf technique and thus has to be developed by the intended user. This paper is intended to present a simple method and procedure for preparing suitable radioactive particles tracer (Au-198 and Sc-46) irradiated simultaneously with neutrons using TRIGA Mark II research reactor. These present work focuses on the performance evaluation of encapsulated gold and scandium particle to be used as single radioactive particle tracer using qualitative and quantitative neutron activation analysis (NAA) and X-ray micro computed tomography (micro-CT) scanner installed at Malaysian Nuclear Agency.


2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 2473011418S0000
Author(s):  
Fred Finney ◽  
Jaron Scott ◽  
Karl Jepsen ◽  
James Holmes ◽  
Paul Talusan

Category: Basic Sciences/Biologics, Lesser Toes, Midfoot/Forefoot Introduction/Purpose: Lesser toe plantar plate attenuation or disruption is being increasingly implicated in a variety of very common clinical complaints including metatarsalgia, metatarsal-phalangeal (MTP) joint subluxation and dislocation, hammertoe, crossover toe, etc. A multitude of surgical techniques and devices have been recently developed to facilitate surgical repair of the plantar plate. However, the microvascular anatomy, and therefore the healing potential in large part, has not been addressed. We sought to answer this question by employing a novel technique involving microvascular perfusion and nano-computed tomography (Nano-CT) imaging. Methods: 12 human adult cadaveric lower extremities were amputated distal to the knee. The anterior and posterior tibial arteries were dissected and cannulated proximal to the ankle joint and were perfused with a barium solution. The soft tissues of each foot were then counterstained with phosphomolybdic acid (PMA). The 2nd through 4th toe MTP joints of 12 feet were imaged with Nano-CT at 14-micron resolution. Images were then reconstructed for three-dimensional analysis of the plantar plate microvasculature and calculation of the vascular density along the length of the plantar plate. Results: A microvascular network extends from the surrounding soft tissues at the attachments of the plantar plate on both the metatarsal and proximal phalanx. The mid-substance of the plantar plate appears to be relatively hypovascular. Analysis of the vascular density along the length of the plantar plate demonstrated a consistent trend with increased vascular density at approximately the proximal 30% and distal 20% of the plantar plate (Figure 1). Conclusion: There is a vascular network extending from the surrounding soft tissues into approximately the proximal 30% and the distal 20% of the plantar plate. The hypovascular mid-portion of the plantar plate may play an important role in the underlying patho-anatomy and pathophysiology of this area. We believe our findings likely have significant clinical implications for the reparative potential of this region, and therefore the surgical procedures currently described to accomplish anatomic plantar plate repair.


2015 ◽  
Vol 1084 ◽  
pp. 694-697 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrey Batranin ◽  
Denis Ivashkov ◽  
Sergei Stuchebrov

High-resolution X-ray tomography, also known as micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) or microtomography, is a versatile evaluation technique, which extends application in various fields including material science. Micro-CT is a suitable method for quantitative and dimensional materials characterization. Needless to say, the accuracy of the method and applied equipments – micro-CT scanners – should be assessed to obtain reliable, solid results. In this paper, the performance of a micro-CT scanner as a visualization system is discussed. Quantitative parameters of image quality and visualization systems as well as methods to obtain their numerical values are briefly described. The results of experiments carried out on in-house made micro-CT scanner TOLMI-150-10 developed in Tomsk Polytechnic University are presented.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
David Haberthür ◽  
Ruslan Hlushchuk ◽  
Thomas Gerhard Wolf

AbstractHigh-resolution micro-computed tomography is a powerful tool to analyze and visualize the internal morphology of human permanent teeth. It is increasingly used for investigation of epidemiological questions to provide the dentist with the necessary information required for successful endodontic treatment. The aim of the present paper was to propose an image processing method to automate parts of the work needed to fully describe the internal morphology of human permanent teeth. One hundred and four human teeth were scanned on a high-resolution micro-CT scanner using an automatic specimen changer. Python code in a Jupyter notebook was used to verify and process the scans, prepare the datasets for description of the internal morphology and to measure the apical region of the tooth. The presented method offers an easy, non-destructive, rapid and efficient approach to scan, check and preview tomographic datasets of a large number of teeth. It is a helpful tool for the detailed description and characterization of the internal morphology of human permanent teeth using automated segmentation by means of micro-CT with full reproducibility and high standardization.


1995 ◽  
Vol 08 (02) ◽  
pp. 76-81 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. A. Cake ◽  
R. A. Read

SummaryEleven canine forelimbs were examined using either gross dissection or a modified Spalteholz technique to investigate the blood supply of the palmar metacarpal sesamoid bones. In addition, the sesamoid bones, from two prepared skeletons, were examined for the presence of vascular foramina. Multiple vascular foramina were observed over the sesamoid surface. The most consistent elements of the arterial supply were proximal vessels supplying the axial and dorsal abaxial sides of the bone. In addition, palmar and distal sources often made contributions to the blood supply. Various minor or occasional sources were noted. This study demonstrates that the palmar metacarpal sesamoid bones of the dog have an abundant but highly variable vascular supply.The blood supply of the canine palmar metacarpal sesamoid bones was examined, using several methods, in order to evaluate the possible involvement of vascular compromise in sesamoid disease. It was found that the sesamoid bones have an abundant blood supply which is presumably resistant to disruption.


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