Evaluation of the lateral ventricle using MRI in normal micropigs / 대한수의학회지

This study was undertaken to assess the lateral ventricle, which was some portion of brain and related to congenital anomalies, from 1, 2, 4, and 8 months of age in healthy micropigs. They were induced general anesthesia and performed magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with a 0.3 Tesla magnet. Each age group was evaluated by three subjects such as lateral ventricular volume, ventricular volume ratio and asymmetry. T1 weighted transverse images were acquired for calculation of lateral ventricular and corresponding brain parenchyma areas. The ratio of bilateral ventricle areas used to analyze the asymmetry. The mean ventricular volumes of each month were 676.74 +/- 25.58 mm3 (1 month-old), 630.64 +/- 143.84 mm3 (2 month-old), 992.12 +/- 106.03 mm3 (4 month-old) and 1172.62 +/- 237.57 mm3 (8 month-old), respectively. The ventricular volume ratio was the smallest at 2 month-old and re-increased from that age. The ratio was significantly different between 2 month-old and other age groups (p < 0.05). The value of bilateral area ratio showed within 1.5 in all experimental animals. Consequently the lateral ventricle showed a positive correlation with aging and symmetric shapes in both sides. The developmental pattern of the lateral ventricle provides basic data in micropigs as an experimental animal model for physiological and neurosurgical approach.

Spectral Doppler ultrasound in the major arteries of normal conscious immature micropigs

Spectral waveform analysis of blood flow velocity in the major arteries of six healthy, conscious immature micropigs was determined using Doppler ultrasonography. Doppler spectral tracings were recorded from the external iliac artery, femoral artery, and renal arcuate artery. Tracings were also taken from three parts of the common carotid artery and two parts of the abdominal aorta. Spectral Doppler parameters included peak systolic velocity, early diastolic velocity, peak systolic velocity-to-end diastolic velocity ratio, resistive index, and pulsatility index. In addition, the diameter of major arteries and indirect blood pressure were measured. These results from spectral Doppler analysis in major arteries may be useful as reference ranges in the future studies of vascular hemodynamics in immature micropigs.