Evaluation of peripheral nerve regeneration through biomaterial conduits via micro-CT imaging.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Hollow nerve conduits made of natural or synthetic biomaterials are used clinically to aid regeneration of peripheral nerves damaged by trauma or disease. To support healing, conduit lumen patency must be maintained until recovery occurs. New methods to study conduit structural integrity would provide an important means to optimize conduits in preclinical studies. We explored a novel combined technique to examine structural integrity of two types of nerve conduits after in vivo healing.

Study design

Micro-CT imaging with iodine contrast was combined with histological analysis to examine two different nerve conduits after in vivo nerve reconstruction in rats.

Materials and methods

Sciatic nerve gaps in adult Lewis rats were reconstructed with poly(caprolacton

SUBMITTER: Pixley SK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5510275 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature