Three -dimensional imaging of the experimental spinal cord injury
Abstract
We are interested in three-dimensionally visualizing soft tissues and their internal structures through a process of computer image reconstruction from serial histological sections. We demonstrated that three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction permits a level of anatomical evaluation not possible with conventional histology. Three-dimensional imaging allows one to graphically manipulate a tissue providing unlimited vantage points as well as the ability to peer inside biological features of interest. We primarily three-dimensionally visualized segments of spinal cord because of its particular pathology after injury. Necrosis occurs mainly in the central grey matter. Therefore, 3D reconstruction approaches permitted an unique view into the site of injury that has only been possible previously by two-dimensional (2D) sectioning. We have been interested in the morphology of cysts and the character of the lesion which forms in more chronic spinal cord injuries. Three-dimensional reconstruction allowed us to investigate the intricacy and spatial relationship of these structures to the rest of the spinal cord segment. To pursue these goals, we have evaluated and compared three different algorithmic methods to produce three-dimensional images from data sets of histological sections. Two of the novel algorithms we have employed allowed us to query the surface area and volume of the 3D surfaces we have reconstructed. These methods were compared to older 2D morphometric and formulaic quantitative approaches cited in the literature using injured and intact spinal cord data sets. We found 3D quantitation to be more conclusive at measuring complicated structures, like the spinal cord injury site, than standard quantitative approaches which make estimates from few data points. Our intention was to demonstrate the utility and practicality of 3D visualization in evaluating biological data. In our final study we applied one 3D technique to evaluate the efficacy of an experimental treatment for acute compression injury in the mammalian spinal cord. We used 3D reconstructions to examine and measure changes in the three-dimensional histopathology of control and experimental groups.
Degree
Ph.D.
Advisors
Borgens, Purdue University.
Subject Area
Neurology|Biomedical research|Electrical engineering
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