Description of the technique of upper gastrointestinal series radiological examination for the evaluation of the esophagus, stomach and duodenum of Wistar female rats

Abstract

Purpose:To evaluate the anatomy of female Wistar rats and the workability of contrast radiography as a technique to investigate the gastrointestinal series. Methods: Eight adult female Wistar rats were undergone to the contrast radiography as anteroposterior incidence and as posterior incidence in profile. The radiological examination was conducted at a 45° angle to the radiological table. Film-focus distance (FFD) was 100 cm, film-object distance (FOD) was 0 cm, and object-focus distance (OFD) was 100 cm. An orogastric probe was used to inject barium contrast at 5-min intervals, for a total of four applications. After the radiological examination, animals were necropsy for confirmation of the radiological findings, and the radiographs were the absence of the normal anatomy variations inspected and described by an experienced radiologist. Results: All the radiographs produced achieved satisfactory results in terms of position, exposure, location and quality. The upper esophageal sphincter (UES) was identified in the esophagus at the nerve C2, the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) was identified between spinal cord segments L1 and L2, the thoracic-abdominal junction was observed at T10, the esophageal-gastric junction (EGJ) at T13-L1, with the abdominal portion in the epigastric region. The stomach was observed mostly in the epigastric region, left hypochondrium, left and mesogastric flank. The duodenum findings presented higher variation, with most findings identified in the epigastric region, right hypochondrium, right flank and mesogastric ileal fossa at T13-L5. Conclusion: Contrast radiology is useful and may be employed to assess the anatomy of the animal being studied. The experimental model described afforded to fully identify all organs investigated, as well as other occasional relevant findings. No anatomical anomalies in the subsequent necropsy, confirming the radiographic findings. Key words: X-Rays. Esophagus. Stomach. Duodenum. Rats. RESUMOObjetivo: Avaliar a anatomia normal de ratas Wistar e a viabilidade do exame contrastado nesta população. Métodos: Foram submetidas ao exame oito ratas Wistar adultas, em incidência Ântero-Posterior e Perfil. A técnica consiste no posicionamento à 45º de inclinação em relação à mesa radiológica e colocado à Distância Foco Filme (DFF) de 100 cm, Distância Objeto Filme (DOF) de 0 cm, Distância Foco Objeto (DFO) de 100 cm. O contraste baritado foi injetado via sonda nasoesofágica, em intervalos de 5 minutos para cada fase, em um total de quatro fases. Após a realização do exame foi realizada necropsia dos animais para confirmação dos achados radiológicos e da ausência de variações da anatomia normal As radiografias foram analisadas e descritas por radiologista experiente no exame. Resultados: Todos os exames foram satisfatórios no que se refere ao posicionamento, exposição, localização e qualidade do exame. Foi identificado o esôfago com o Esfíncter Esofágico Superior (EES) ao nível de segunda vértebra cervical (C2) e Esfíncter Esofágico Inferior (EEI) entre a...

Radiological evaluation of the patency of duodenal-esophageal anastomosis during a long postoperative follow-up: effectiveness of an alkaline reflux model in rats

“…Upon studying the initial description of the technique, which was developed by Grossi et al,15 the authors of the present paper chose to use 100% barium sulfate as the contrast medium. This contrast medium is the one that is most commonly used for evaluating the gastrointestinal tract in humans 21–23.…”

“…When visualization of the distal duodenum was satisfactory, the rat was placed in the right lateral decubitus position to conduct the profile X-ray. The radiological parameters, which refer to the spectrum of radiation waves and the films used, were based on the initial description of the technique developed by Grossi et al15 The study sample was randomly divided into three groups that differed regarding the medium contrast used in the radiological study, ie, group 1 (100% barium sulfate, Bariogel, São Paulo, Brazil), group 2 (50% barium sulfate, with contrast medium diluted in 0.9% saline solution), and group 3 (meglumine diatrozate, ie, 60% aqueous iodinated contrast medium).…”

“…Contrast radiographs of the upper gastrointestinal tract in Wistar rats were first described by Grossi et al15 These authors showed evidence of normal anatomical parameters in this line of rodents and thus made it possible for there to be a comparison regarding the findings of possible anatomical variables. Using an upper gastrointestinal radiological series, this study aimed to evaluate an alkaline reflux model in rats by demonstrating the patency of a pathway that was surgically induced in rats by duodenal-esophageal anastomosis over a long postoperative period.…”

“…Experimental studies have been designed to evaluate the true role of duodenal reflux using surgical models to induce alkaline reflux in rats 12–15. The results of these studies have a potential role in directly influencing the future of DGER treatment.…”