Creation of Three-Dimensional Anatomical Vascular and Biliary Models for the Study of the Feline Liver (Felis silvestris catus L.): A Comparative CT, Volume Rendering (Vr), Cast and 3D Printing Study

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Vascular liver diseases have been studied in dogs. However, cats are now receiving special attention in veterinary clinics. Therefore, this study focuses on the feline liver with the aim of increasing knowledge on the subjects. Studies on the vascular and biliary system of the feline liver are rare; our literature search found five general studies in manuals, three articles in feline-specific journals, and many others in non-specific studies related to the liver. The feline hepatic parenchyma is traversed by vessels and the biliary system, which can be studied by modern anatomical methods such as vascular and biliary epoxy injections together with diagnostic imaging techniques such as computed tomographic angiography (CTA). The use of three-dimensional (3D) reconstructions (volume rendering) and three-dimensional prints to obtain 3D anatomical prototypes allows for the identification of branches of the arterial, venous and biliary systems and their distribution throughout the liver. We observed that the vascular and biliary structures of the feline liver differ from those of the dog. Finally, we believe that in the future, 3D prototypes could be printed by clinicians to help them in the detection of liver pathology in cats. ABSTRACT: In this study, six adult feline cadavers were examined using CTA, 3D printing, and casts injected with epoxy. The aorta, the portal vein, and the gallbladder of 3 feline cadavers were separately injected with a 50% mixture of colored vulcanized latex and hydrated barium sulfate as contrast medium to analyze by CT the arterial, venous and biliary systems. The other three cadavers were injected with a mixture of epoxy resin in the aorta, gallbladder and hepatic veins, separately. After the corrosion and washing process, hepatic vascular and biliary casts were obtained. The images obtained by CT showed the vascular and biliary system using a soft tissue window. For the identification of vascular and biliary structures, the 3D prints together with the 3D reconstructions were analyzed, and the results were compared with the casts obtained with epoxy resin. Each of the arterial, venous and biliary branches associated with each of the liver lobes were identified with the help of the printings. In conclusion, the creation of 3D prototypes of nonpathological feline hepatic parenchyma can be used in the veterinary clinic as a basis for the detection of pathological problems in addition to obtaining future pathological hepatic 3D models.