Orellana, Federica; Grassi, Alberto; Hlushchuk, Ruslan; Wahl, Peter; Nuss, Katja M; Neels, Antonia; Zaffagnini, Stefano; Parrilli, Annapaola (2024). Revealing the complexity of meniscus microvasculature through 3D visualization and analysis. Scientific Reports, 14(10875) Nature Publishing Group 10.1038/s41598-024-61497-2
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Three-dimensional information is essential for a proper understanding of the healing potential of the menisci and their overall role in the knee joint. However, to date, the study of meniscal vascularity has relied primarily on two-dimensional imaging techniques. Here we present a method to elucidate the intricate 3D meniscal vascular network, revealing its spatial arrangement, connectivity and density. A polymerizing contrast agent was injected into the femoral artery of human cadaver legs, and the meniscal microvasculature was examined using micro-computed tomography at different levels of detail and resolution. The 3D vascular network was quantitatively assessed in a zone-base analysis using parameters such as diameter, length, tortuosity, and branching patterns. The results of this study revealed distinct vascular patterns within the meniscus, with the highest vascular volume found in the outer perimeniscal zone. Variations in vascular parameters were found between the different circumferential and radial meniscal zones. Moreover, through state-of-the-art 3D visualization using micro-CT, this study highlighted the importance of spatial resolution in accurately characterizing the vascular network. These findings, both from this study and from future research using this technique, improve our understanding of microvascular distribution, which may lead to improved therapeutic strategies.
Item Type: |
Journal Article (Original Article) |
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Division/Institute: |
04 Faculty of Medicine > Pre-clinic Human Medicine > Institute of Anatomy > Topographical and Clinical Anatomy |
UniBE Contributor: |
Hlushchuk, Ruslan |
Subjects: |
500 Science > 570 Life sciences; biology 600 Technology > 610 Medicine & health |
ISSN: |
2045-2322 |
Publisher: |
Nature Publishing Group |
Language: |
English |
Submitter: |
Pubmed Import |
Date Deposited: |
14 May 2024 12:19 |
Last Modified: |
14 May 2024 12:28 |
Publisher DOI: |
10.1038/s41598-024-61497-2 |
PubMed ID: |
38740845 |
BORIS DOI: |
10.48350/196754 |
URI: |
https://boris.unibe.ch/id/eprint/196754 |
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