Contrast enhanced computed tomography of small ruminants: Caprine and ovine

Abstract

The use of small ruminants, mainly sheep and goats, is increasing in biomedical research. Small ruminants are a desirable animal model due to their human-like anatomy and physiology. However, the large variability between studies and lack of baseline data on these animals creates a barrier to further research. This knowledge gap includes a lack of computed tomography (CT) scans for healthy subjects. Full body, contrast enhanced CT scans of caprine and ovine subjects were acquired for subsequent modeling studies. Scans were acquired from an ovine specimen (male, Khatadin, 30-35 kg) and caprine specimen (female, Nubian 30-35 kg). Scans were acquired with and without contrast. Contrast enhanced scans utilized 1.7 mL/kg of contrast administered at 2 mL/s and scans were acquired 20 seconds, 80 seconds, and 5 minutes post-contrast. Scans were taken at 100 kV and 400 mA. Each scan was reconstructed using a bone window and a soft tissue window. Sixteen full body image data sets are presented (2 specimens by 4 contrast levels by 2 reconstruction windows) and are available for download through the form located at: https://redcap.link/COScanData. Scans showed that the post-contrast timing and scan reconstruction method affected structural visualization. The data are intended for further biomedical research on ruminants related to computational model development, device prototyping, comparative diagnostics, intervention planning, and other forms of translational research.

Fig 1. Image of the head support used for positioning.

A. Top view showing channel that holds the breathing tube. B. Lateral view showing neck alignment.

Fig 2

A sagittal 3D view of the sheep (A) and goat (B) using a lumbar filter. (C) A sagittal 2D view of the goat. Images taken from the 20s post contrast scans with soft tissue reconstruction.

Fig 3. Visibility of select organs for each scan time point taken from soft tissue reconstructions of the sheep scans.

The lung images were taken using a lung window to highlight the details inside the lungs, all other images were taken using the default.

Fig 4. Coronal slice 279 of the without contrast sheep scan.

A. Bone reconstruction. B. Soft tissue reconstruction.

Fig 5

Axial cross section of the sheep (A) and the goat (B) at the T9 vertebral level. Images taken from the 20s post contrast scan using a soft tissue reconstruction.