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PubMed1999

Occurrence and distribution of substance P receptors in the cerebral blood vessels of the rat.

The distribution of immunoreactivity to the receptor for substance P was examined in the cerebral blood vessels of the rat. Substance P immunoreactivity has been demonstrated in the nerve fibers of the cerebral blood vessels. Recently, the production of substance P receptor specific antibody has enabled the detection of localization of the substance P receptor in the central nervous system. In this study, we examined the existence of nerve fibers with substance P receptor immunoreactivity in the cerebral blood vessels and the cranial ganglia innervating the cerebral blood vessels. Sprague-Dawley rats were perfused with fixative and the pial arteries and the cranial ganglia known to innervate the cerebral blood vessels, i.e., trigeminal, sphenopalatine, internal carotid, otic and superior cervical ganglia, were dissected. All specimens were incubated with anti-substance P receptor IgG, then stained by the avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex method. Numerous nerve fibers with varicosities forming plexuses, with substance P receptor immunoreactivity were observed on the walls of the major extracerebral arteries forming the circle of Willis and its branches. Substance P receptor immunoreactivity was also detected in the endothelium of the cerebral arteries. Substance P receptor immunoreactivity was positive in many neurons of the sphenopalatine ganglion, otic ganglion, trigeminal ganglion, superior cervical ganglion and internal carotid ganglion. The present study demonstrated the existence of nerve fibers with substance P receptor immunoreactivity in the cerebral blood vessels and the cranial ganglia that innervate the cerebral blood vessels. These findings are important in understanding the responsiveness of the cerebral blood vessels to substance P.

Absorption↗
PubMed1997

Morphometric study of the placental vessels and its correlation with umbilical artery Doppler flow.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the changes in the vessel-wall thickness and the radius of the lumen in tertiary-stem villi of the placenta with advancing gestational duration and their relationship to umbilical artery Doppler flow studies. METHODS: Placentas from 63 miscarriages and preterm and term deliveries (between 19 and 40 weeks) were used for morphometric study of the tertiary-stem villi vessels. Each woman had undergone Doppler flow study of the umbilical artery. The resistance index (RI) was determined from the Doppler flow velocity waveform. Placental paraffin sections of 4-micron thickness were stained with hematoxylin and eosin and with periodic acid-Schiff reagents. The tertiary-stem villi and their vessels were examined microscopically and assessed morphometrically using a personal computer with math co-processor and a touch-sensitive screen overlying a video monitor. The monitor received microscopic images from a video camera that was mounted on a microscope. We determined vessel-wall thickness by tracing the outer and inner circumferences of digitized vessel-wall images. RESULTS: Wall thickness, but not lumen size, of the tertiary-stem villi vessels decreased significantly overall at a rate of 0.63micron/week (P < .001). The rate of decrease was 0.64micron/week (P < .001) during the second trimester and 0.50micron/week (P < .001) during the third trimester. There was a significant correlation between the decrease in thickness and in RI (r = 0.83 [P < .001], r = 0.78 [P < .001] in the second and third trimesters, respectively). Resistance indices were all within normal limits. CONCLUSIONS: Placental tertiary-stem villi vessel-wall thickness decreases with advancing gestational age. There is a correlation between the changes in RI of the umbilical artery Doppler flow and the changes in mean wall thickness of the placental vessels.

Female↗
PubMed2002

Laparoscopic pyeloplasty for UPJ obstruction with crossing vessels: contrast-enhanced color Doppler findings and long-term outcome.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate, in the present long-term follow-up study, contrast-enhanced color Doppler imaging (CDI) findings and the clinical outcome of patients with crossing vessels at the obstructed ureteropelvic junction (UPJ), who underwent laparoscopic pyeloplasty. In a previous study, contrast-enhanced CDI proved capable of detecting crossing vessels at the UPJ. METHODS: A total of 23 patients, who had undergone laparoscopic pyeloplasty and displacement of crossing vessels for UPJ obstruction at least 2 years before this study (mean 27 months), underwent contrast-enhanced CDI, intravenous urography, and renography. Contrast-enhanced CDI was performed using intravenously administered Levovist to assess the displacement of the vessels relative to the UPJ. All patients completed analog follow-up pain scales and quality-of-life assessment questionnaires. RESULTS. Contrast-enhanced CDI revealed a cranial displacement (mean 1.3 cm) of the crossing vessels from the UPJ in all 23 cases. Intravenous urography showed a decrease in the degree of hydronephrosis, with a success rate of 100% in low-grade and 86% in high-grade hydronephrosis. The split renal function improved from 39.7% to 48.1%. Analog pain scale measurements demonstrated a mean improvement in pain of 92% (range 73% to 100%) and a mean quality-of-life score of 94 (range 78 to 100). CONCLUSIONS: Our series of patients with crossing vessels at the UPJ treated by laparoscopic pyeloplasty showed an excellent long-term successful outcome. Contrast-enhanced CDI allows for preoperative detection, as well as postoperative assessment, of the displacement of the crossing vessel. We recommend that the presence of a crossing vessel be routinely determined preoperatively, because it may influence the choice of treatment modality and thereby the clinical outcome.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Behavioral response of Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin (Sousa chinensis) to vessel traffic.

A series of land-based surveys were conducted at two vantage points of known dolphin abundance in Hong Kong. The purpose of this study was to determine the behavioral response of Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin (Sousa chinensis) to vessel traffic. Results indicated that dolphins dove for a longer duration in areas of heavy vessel traffic or when there was the presence of an oncoming vessel. Dependent upon the type of vessel and the relative distance, dolphins might flee, continue their ongoing activity, perform a new activity, or approach the vessel. Whilst slow-moving vessels appeared not to cause immediate stress on the dolphin community, fast-moving vessels often cause disruption of behavior and social life. In order to ensure a better environment for the animals, we suggest that proactive conservation measures such as the creation of a marine park, rules and regulations for dolphin watching activities, and regional control of vessel speed should be implemented.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Inhibition of reproductive growth of Arabidopsis in airtight vessels.

Airtight vessels have various advantages for space experiments. However, Arabidopsis thaliana plants scarcely produced seeds when grown in such vessels. The mechanism by which reproductive growth is inhibited in airtight vessels was studied. The length of the flower stalk was shorter when the plants were grown in airtight vessels. Thus, there was a possibility that the inhibition of reproductive growth was due to the inhibition of vegetative growth. However, even when the plants which has grown under non-airtight conditions and has reached to the flowering stage were transferred to airtight vessels, silique formation was inhibited, suggesting that the airtight environment directly influences reproductive growth. In airtight vessels, anther dehiscence was inhibited, which appears to be the cause of inhibition of silique formation and seed development. Reproductive growth recovered when silica gel was added to the vessels. These results suggest that in airtight vessels, high humidity causes a suppression of anther dehiscence, resulting in the inhibition of reproductive growth. Therefore, the control of humidity by ventilation should be taken into consideration in designing a growth chamber for space experiments.

Arabidopsis↗
PubMed2001

Lead-cadmium interaction effect on the responsiveness of rat mesenteric vessels to norepinephrine and angiotensin II.

The comparison of the reactivity to norepinephrine (NE) and angiotensin II (A II) of isolated mesenteric blood vessels obtained from rats simultaneously poisoned with lead and cadmium to those responses of rats treated singly with lead or cadmium was performed. Male Buffalo rats aged 6-8 weeks were administered intragastrically with lead (35 mg Pb/kg body wt.) and/or cadmium (5 mg Cd/body wt.), once a week for a period of 7 weeks. Control rats were given equimolar amounts of sodium acetate and/or sodium chloride. Changes in mesenteric vascular resistance due to NE and A II injections were measured ex vivo as an increase in perfusion pressure in vessels prepared by McGregor's method. The dose-response curve for NE (0.01-5.0 microg) determined for vessels of rats poisoned simultaneously with lead and cadmium was shifted to the left in comparison to controls (not poisoned rats), similarly to these determined for rats poisoned with lead or cadmium. ED(50) NE pointed out in the control group (0.83+/-0.5 microg) was significantly greater than in metal treated groups (0.44+/-0.09; 0.45+/-0.26 and 0.5+/-0.11 microg in lead, cadmium, lead and cadmium-treated rats, respectively). This study indicated a tachyphylaxis in responses of isolated mesenteric vessels to A II injected in increasing doses, and the weaker, in comparison to controls, response of vessels of rats poisoned with lead and/or cadmium to A II at a dose of 0.4 microg. The decreasing response to A II could result from changes in calcium ions transport through L-type channels in vascular smooth muscle cells, because verapamil (2.0 microM) inhibited the A II-induced vasoconstriction more weakly in rats poisoned with metals than in controls. Inhibitor of prostaglandins synthesis, ketoprofen (200 microg/ml per min.) attenuated the pressor effect of NE in blood vessels obtained from all rats, but this effect was less potent in arteries of cadmium poisoned rats. Ketoprofen also inhibited the vasoconstrictory action of A II in all groups, but this effect was lower in vessels of rats poisoned simultaneously with lead and cadmium. We suggest that the release of vasoactive prostaglandins as a consequence of endothelial angiotensin receptor stimulation changes more under the influence of metals administered to rats simultaneously than under the influence or lead or cadmium administered singly. Treatment with a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor (L-NOARG; 22 microg/ml per min.) potentiated a NE-induced pressor response in all groups. However, the increase in perfusion pressure was greater in rats poisoned with cadmium in comparison to controls. L-NOARG potentiated the A II induced vasoconstriction only in cadmium poisoned rats, also indicating a greater influence of nitric oxide in cadmium treated rat vasculature. Two-way ANOVA showed the existence of lead-cadmium interactions effects on the reactivity of rat isolated mesenteric vessels to NE, A II and papaverine.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed2000

Vessel diameter measurements in gadolinium contrast-enhanced three-dimensional MRA of peripheral arteries.

In this study, the possibilities for quantification of vessel diameters of peripheral arteries in gadolinium contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (Gd CE MRA) were evaluated. Absolute vessel diameter measurements were assessed objectively and semi-automatically in maximum intensity projections (MIPs) of contrast-enhanced T1-weighted 3D spoiled gradient-echo datasets, studied with digital subtraction techniques. In vivo, the complete peripheral arterial bed of six patients was studied, from the aorto-iliac bifurcation down to the distal run-off. By measuring the signal intensity (SI) over the lumen of a vessel in the MIP, an SI-plot was obtained. Next, the vessel boundaries were determined using a threshold algorithm; from these boundary points individual diameter values could be obtained along the trajectory of the vessel. In an in vitro study, an optimal threshold value of 30% of the range of SI-values between the background and the maximal SI in the vessel was obtained for accurate diameter measurement in Gd CE MRA (i.e., full-width 30%-maximum). Furthermore, the relationship between the accuracy of these measurements and the scan resolution was investigated. Accuracy was found to be acceptable (i.e., less than 10% over/underestimation) for vessel sizes covering at least 3 pixels. In six patients, diameters were measured in MIPs of the total datasets (i.e., D(T)) as well as in selective MIPs of the clipped datasets (i.e., D(S)) (n = 209). D(T) and D(S) were statistically significantly correlated (p < 0.01) with a Pearson correlation coefficient rP = 0.98. Measurements in the total MIPs yielded statistically significant (p < 0.01) smaller diameter values compared with measurements in selective MIPs, with a mean difference of 0.15 mm. Diameter values from the selective MIPs of the aorto-iliac arteries were also compared with diameter values measured at corresponding anatomic positions in X-ray angiograms of these patients (i.e., D(x)) (n = 70). D(X) and D(S) were statistically significantly correlated (p < 0.01) with a Pearson correlation coefficient rP = 0.92. Diameters measured in the selective MIPs were smaller than those measured in the X-ray angiograms (mean difference 0.49 mm) and this difference was statistically significant (p < 0.01). In conclusion, diameter values can be evaluated accurately in MIPs of vessels with at least 3 pixels in diameter, using the full-width 30%-maximum criterion.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Physiologic weight-bearing increases new vessel formation during distraction osteogenesis: a micro-tomographic imaging study.

During distraction osteogenesis, large volumes of new bone are formed through the slow distraction of fracture callus. The newly formed bone is closely linked to angiogenesis and positively influenced by physiologic loading. In this study, a rat model was used to explore the correlation between these two observations. Unilateral femoral lengthenings were performed in 18 male Sprague-Dawley rats (400-500 g, age<6 months). Half of the animals were allowed to bear weight freely (WB) while the remaining animals were made non-weight-bearing via a through-knee amputation (NWB). After a seven-day latency period, femurs were lengthened 7 mm over 21 days. Animals were sacrificed at 7, 21, 35, and 49 days (0, 4.7, 7, and 7 mm of distraction) at which time lower extremity vessels were perfused with a 60% (w/v) barium sulfate suspension. High-resolution three-dimensional images of the vascular architecture were generated using a fan-beam micro-tomography machine by digitally separating the contrast-filled vessels from surrounding tissue. For two subvolumes, VOI(1), which included vessels in the medullary canal, cortex, and periosteum, and VOI(2), which included only vessels in the canal and cortex, the total tissue volume (TV), the volume of vessels (VV), and vessel diameter (VD) were determined. For the larger subvolume (VOI(1)), VV and vessel density (VV/TV) increased as a function of time (p<0.001) in WB animals. In NWB animals, VV increased significantly with time (p=0.029), while VV/TV did not (p=0.36). Increases in VV and VV/TV were significantly greater in WB animals than in NWB animals (p<0.01 and 0.05, respectively). VD was similar in both groups and did not change with time. Our data suggest that weight bearing stimulates new vessel formation during distraction osteogenesis.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Histological changes in vessels used for microvascular reconstruction in the head and neck.

Recipient vessels from the head and neck region were histologically examined in 30 patients who had undergone extensive tumor resection necessitating microvascular tissue reconstruction. Past illnesses considered to be risk factors included hypertension, myocardial disease, lung disease, cirrhosis, diabetes, nephritis, as well as extensive nicotine and alcohol abuse. Blood vessels chosen for microsurgical anastomosis were exclusively examined histologically in this study. Patients undergoing microvascular surgery demonstrated vessel abnormalities in 93%. The frequency of dysplasia was higher in the arteries than in the veins (73% and 26%, respectively). Marked thickening of the blood vessel wall and severe exfoliation of the endothelial cells were observed in most arteries. Fibrodysplasia and exfoliated endothelial cells were more frequently observed in the recipient arteries than the graft arteries. Only slight thickening of the vessel wall and mild fibrodysplasia were seen in the veins. Two graft failures were correlated to technical errors rather than pre-existing vessel lesions. This study revealed that most patients undergoing microsurgery in the head and neck region demonstrate pre-existing damage in vessels, which generally hinders anastomosis. Although the study tried to identify fully the interrelationships between the extent of dysplasia, past medical history, preoperative therapy, risk factors and factors that cause free-graft failure, pre-existing changes in the recipient and graft vessels may cause technical difficulties and must be regarded as additional factors contributing to graft failure.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Accuracy of CO2 angiography in vessel diameter assessment: a comparative study of CO2 versus iodinated contrast material in an aortoiliac flow model.

PURPOSE: Precise vessel sizing prior to endovascular intervention is critical to achievement of technical success. Diameter measurements obtained with CO2 and iodinated contrast material in an aortoiliac flow model were compared. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Aortoiliac flow was simulated in a compliant, silicone elastomer phantom of the aortoiliac system using an autoperfusion pump (flow volume, approximately 1100 mL/min; mean arterial pressure, 70-80 mm Hg at 80-90 cycles/minute) and a glycerol solution (40% by weight; viscosity 3.7 centipoise at 20 degrees C). Digital subtraction angiography was performed with the phantom in the anteroposterior (AP) plane and in three oblique planes with both CO2 and iodinated contrast material. Five sets of images for both CO2 and iodinated contrast material were obtained for each projection. Two readers independently performed vessel diameter measurements at seven sites (distal abdominal aorta, bilateral proximal and distal common iliac, and mid-external iliac arteries). The model was then evaluated with intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) using a 20-MHz imaging catheter. Actual diameter measurements were taken from the inner wall to inner wall in orthogonal planes at the same locations within the model, as described previously. Analysis was performed to determine local difference in measurements (t tests), difference when compared to the standard AP projection with iodinated contrast material (Dunnett's test) and inter-reader variability (Pitman's test). RESULTS: The contralateral iliac vessel segment did not opacify when imaging with CO2 in the 45 degrees obliquities; thus, 22 of 28 sites were available for comparison. At 18 of 22 (81.8%) sites, there was significant difference in vessel measurements (P < .01), with CO2 yielding a significantly larger diameter at 17 of 22 (77.3%) of the sites. The difference in mean diameter ranged from -1.28 to 4.47 mm. With use of the AP iodinated contrast material run as the standard, there were significant differences (P < .05) in vessel diameter at 17 of 22 (77.3%) and four of 21 (19%) sites for CO2 and iodinated contrast material respectively, with CO2 tending toward greater diameter measurements. Significant differences (P < .05) in variance between the two readers were present but occurred primarily with CO2 in the AP projection and iodinated contrast material in the 45 degrees left obliquity. With use of IVUS as the standard, there were significant differences (P < .05) in the measured vessel diameters with CO2 at nine of 22 (40.9%) of the sites and with iodinated contrast material at 17 of 28 (60.7%) of the sites. Of the measurements made with CO2, seven of nine (77.8%) of the measurements were of larger diameter than those obtained with IVUS. By contrast, of the measurements made with iodinated contrast material angiography, IVUS measured larger diameters in 16 of 17 (94.1%). CONCLUSION: CO2 angiography consistently yielded significantly larger vessel measurements when compared to both iodinated contrast angiography and WVUS. These results have important implications in regards to planning intervention based solely on CO2 angiography. Further evaluation is needed before recommending CO2 for vessel sizing in clinical practice.

Angiography, Digital Subtraction↗
PubMed1998

Development of glia and blood vessels in the internal capsule of rats.

We have explored two aspects of internal capsule development that have not been described previously, namely, the development of glia and of blood vessels. To these ends, we used antibodies to glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and to vimentin (to identify astrocytes and to radial glia) and Griffonia simplicifolia (lectin; to identify microglia and blood vessels). Further, we made intracardiac injections of Evans Blue to examine the permeability of this dye in the vessels of the internal capsule during neonatal development. Our results show that large numbers of radial glia, astrocytes and microglia are not labelled with these markers in the white matter of the internal capsule until about birth; very few are labelled earlier, during the critical stages of corticofugal and corticopetal axonal ingrowth (E15-E20). The large glial labelling in the internal capsule at birth is accompanied by a dense vascular innervation of the capsule; as with the glia, very few labelled patent vessels are seen earlier. After intracardiac injections of Evans Blue, we find that the blood vessels of the internal capsule are not particularly permeable to Evans Blue. At each age examined (P0, P5, P15), blood vessels are outlined very clearly and there is no diffuse haze of fluorescence within the extracellular space, which is indicative of a leaky vessel. There are three striking differences between the glial environment of the internal capsule and that of the adjacent thalamus. First, the internal capsule is never rich with radial glial fibres (vimentin- and GFAP-immunoreactive) during development (except at P0), whereas the thalamus has many radial fibres from very early development (E15-E17). Second, astrocytes (vimentin- and GFAP-immunoreactive) first become apparent in the internal capsule (E20-P0) well before they do in the thalamus (P15). Third, the internal capsule houses a large transient population of amoeboid microglia (P0-P22), whereas the thalamus does not; only ramified microglia are seen in the thalamus. In summary, our results indicate that all three types of glia in the internal capsule are associated closely with the vasculature, suggesting they may play a role in the development of the blood-brain barrier among the vessels in this white matter region of the forebrain.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Lymphatic and blood vessel density in the follicular patterned lesions of thyroid.

The histologic distinction of follicular patterned lesions of thyroid, that is follicular adenoma, follicular carcinoma, and the follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma can be extremely difficult. The differential diagnostic criteria regarding nuclear features of papillary thyroid carcinoma are subjective, resulting in high interobserver variability. Although papillary thyroid carcinoma metastasizes mainly via lymphatic vessels, whereas follicular carcinoma spreads mostly hematogenously, there are no data regarding utility of objective quantitative criteria such as lymphatic and general blood vessel density for the differential diagnosis of these lesions. In this study, 35 follicular patterned lesions of thyroid (14 follicular adenomas, 10 follicular carcinomas, and 11 of the follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinomas) were evaluated immunohistochemically. An assessment of intra- and peritumoral lymphatic vessel density was performed using novel lymphatic endothelium-specific marker D2-40, and the intra- and peritumoral general vessel density was determined by the panendothelial marker CD31. There were no significant differences in the intra- and/or peritumoral general vessel densities, and peritumoral lymphatic vessel densities among follicular adenoma, follicular carcinoma and the follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma. In contrast, the intratumoral lymphatic vessel density was significantly higher in the follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma than in either follicular adenoma or follicular carcinoma (34.63, 15.04, and 0.11 respectively; P<0.0001). The results of the study show that intratumoral lymphatic vessel density may serve as a useful tool in the differential diagnosis of follicular patterned lesions of thyroid.

Adenocarcinoma, Follicular↗
PubMed1998

Preservation of vascular function in rat mesenteric resistance arteries following cold storage, studied by small vessel myography.

1. The use of isolated blood vessels to investigate the physiological and pharmacological control of the vasculature is limited by the requirement to use freshly isolated vessels. Hence, the aim of this study was to determine whether vascular smooth muscle and endothelial cell function could be preserved in resistance arteries by storing them in physiological salt solution (PSS) at 4 degrees C. 2. Third order mesenteric resistance arteries (mean internal diameter 237+/-6 microm) were dissected from the mesenteric bed of male Cob-Wistar rats. The vessel segments were mounted in a small vessel myograph for measurement of isometric tension, and equilibrated at their optimum resting force. Contractile responses to noradrenaline (NA; 1 x 10(-9) - 3 x 10(-5) M), phenylephrine (PE, 1 x 10(-9)-3 x 10(-5) M), potassium chloride (KCI; 2.5-140 mM) and endothelin (ET-1, 1 x 10(-11)-3 x 10(-7) M) and relaxant responses to acetylcholine (ACh; 1 x 10(-9) - 3 x 10(-5) M) and 3-morpholinosydnonimine (SIN-1; 1 x 10(-9) - 1 x 10(-4) M) were obtained in arteries, immediately after dissection (day 0) and following one to four days storage (day 1-day 4). 3. All arteries produced concentration-dependent contractions in response to each of the vasoconstrictors. There were no significant differences in the magnitude or sensitivity (pD2) of the vasoconstrictor responses between fresh and stored vessels. 4. Arteries precontracted with NA to approximately 80% of the maximum response, relaxed in a concentration-dependent manner in response to ACh and SIN-1. Vessel storage for up to three days resulted in no change in response to ACh or SIN-1. 5. Vessels analysed after four days of storage demonstrated a significant increase in sensitivity to ACh and SIN-1 (-logIC50 (M) values; ACh; day 0, 7.46+/-0.13 vs day 4, 7.97+/-0.11, P<0.01 and SIN-1; day 0, 4.87+/-0.10 vs day 4, 5.52+/-0.08, P<0.01). There was also a significant increase in the maximum relaxant response to ACh after four days of storage (% relaxation; day 0, 92.65+/-2.84 vs day 4, 100.36+/-0.36, P<0.05). 6. These results demonstrate that small resistance arteries remain viable if stored in PSS at 4 degrees C for up to four days, with no loss in endothelial cell function. The altered sensitivity to the vasodilators on day 4 suggests that vessels should only be stored for up to three days following dissection for analysis of functional responses.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Sonographic localization of abdominal vessels in Chinese women: its role in laparoscopic surgery.

Trauma to abdominal wall blood vessels occurs following 0.2-2% of laparoscopic operations. This prospective observational study assessed the possible role of sonographic localization of abdominal blood vessels prior to laparoscopic surgery in Chinese women and compared the findings reported in a Western group. The inferior epigastric and superficial circumflex iliac vessels were located by color Doppler imaging. Ultrasonography was 100% and 80% successful in locating the inferior epigastric and the superficial circumflex iliac vessels, respectively. The positions of the inferior epigastric vessels were similar to those reported in the Western population whilst the superficial circumflex iliac vessels were found to be situated 1 cm more medially. In our study population, a safe area for entry of lateral ports appeared to be 7 cm from the midline and 5 cm above the pubic symphysis. Sonographic localization of abdominal blood vessels is a potentially useful clinical tool in the prevention of blood vessel trauma.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

The three vessels and trachea view (3VT) in fetal cardiac scanning.

OBJECTIVE: Comprehensive evaluation of the fetal heart has become a major part of targeted organ scanning to rule out fetal malformations. Evaluation of the mediastinal major vessels seems to be the most difficult and time-consuming part of fetal heart examination. Our aim was to define and evaluate the three vessels and trachea (3VT) view, a novel and simple method to examine the great vessels in the mediastinum, and its applicability in the clinical practice of fetal echocardiography, while establishing nomograms for cardiac vessel measurements obtained in this view. METHODS: The three vessels and trachea view was examined in 379 low-risk gravidae between 14+0 and 23+6 weeks' gestation. Six parameters in this plane were measured to establish nomograms. In another group of 984 mixed high- and low-risk patients we compared the time required to identify the aortic arch using the 3VT view as compared to the long-axis view. RESULTS: The 3VT view was readily and satisfactorily demonstrated in all but two of the 1363 cases examined. In 17 cases (out of a total of 982) more than 10 min were required to identify the aortic arch using the 3VT view and in 71 patients when employing the long-axis view (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The clinical applicability of the 3VT view to evaluate the anatomy of the major vessels in the mediastinum is demonstrated. Although a wide variation in the six parameters of the 3VT view used here precludes their use in diagnosing great vessel anomalies, some of the ratios between them have promising potential in the evaluation of great vessel malformations. Further, the 3VT view seems to be more efficient in identifying the aortic arch than does the long-axis view.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

[A microangiography technique to quantify fasciocutaneous blood vessels in small laboratory animals].

PURPOSE: A microangiographic technique is described, which allows visualization of small blood vessels with a diameter of approximately 20 microm and quantification of fasciocutaneous blood vessels by means of digital computer analysis in very small laboratory animals. METHOD: The left carotid artery of 45 nu/nu mice was cannulated (26 gauge) and a mixture of gelatine, barium sulfate and green ink was injected according to standardized protocol. Fasciocutaneous blood vessels were visualized by digital mammography and analyzed for vessel length and vessel surface area as standardized units (pixel) by computer program. RESULTS: With the described microangiography method fasciocutaneous blood vessels can be clearly visualized. Regions of interest (ROIs) can be defined and the containing vascular network quantified. Identical ROIs showed a high reproducibility for measured unit (pixel) < 6.5 +/- 2.4 %. By the use of digital image, processing the quantification of vessels was reliable, reproducible and fast. CONCLUSION: Combining microsurgical techniques, pharmacological knowledge and modern computer imaging analysis systems, we were able to visualize and quantify blood vessels with a diameter of approximately 20 microm even in small laboratory animals.

Angiography↗
PubMed2006

Recipient vessels for microsurgical flaps to the groin and pelvis: a review.

Reconstruction of large defects of the pelvis and groin sometimes requires microsurgical flaps when the otherwise rich supply of local options fails to be sufficient in difficult and complicated cases. Recipient vessels for microsurgical flaps to the groin and pelvis are important elements in planning such procedures. Seven groups have reported pelvis and groin microsurgical flap cases, and their recipient vessels have included the superior and inferior gluteal vessels, the femoral vessels, the deep perforators of the femoral system, the inferior epigastric vessels, intra-abdominal vessels, and interpositional vein grafts to distant recipient vessels. This review summarizes their experience and describes the recipient vessel options in the pelvic and groin region.

Arteries↗
PubMed1996

Microsurgical reconstruction of chest- and abdominal-wall defects associated with intraperitoneal vessels.

Microsurgical reconstruction of abdominal or chest-wall defects requires extreme precision but may still raise serious problems. In previous publications many methods have been reported, including free fascia graft, synthetic mesh, pedicled flap, and free flap with microvascular anastomoses. Free-flap transfer has become a popular operative procedure for such reconstructions. The recipient vessels utilized have been mainly the external peritoneal system. In some cases, however, it is very difficult to find adequate recipient vessels in the external peritoneal region. Intraperitoneal vessels may be obviously exposed in the surgical field because there has been a full-thickness defect of the abdominal or chest wall. These vessels are rather easily found and dissected. Their diameter is about 1 to 2 mm, appropriate for microvascular anastomoses with flap vessels in the reconstruction. Using intraperitoneal vessels for the recipient vessels has rarely been reported. The authors report three cases of reconstruction of full-thickness defects of the abdominal or chest wall, using these vessels as recipients for free flaps.

Abdomen↗