Imaging the development of the human craniofacial arterial system - an experimental study.

F Lobbezoo, K Jacobs, G E J Langenbach, D Docter, P A M Cordewener, B J van de Beek, J A M Korfage, S C Visser, J J Peters, J Hagoort, B S de Bakker

Journal: Pediatric radiology 2025;55(4):721-732

PMID: 39254856

Free Full Text on PubMed Central View on PubMed

Abstract

BACKGROUND

The process of vascular development is essential for shaping complex craniofacial structures. Investigating the interplay between vascular development and orofacial morphogenesis holds critical importance in clinical practice and contributes to advancing our comprehension of (vascular) developmental biology. New insights into specific vascular developmental pathways will have far-reaching implications across various medical disciplines, enhancing clinical understanding, refining surgical techniques, and elucidating the origins of congenital abnormalities. Embryonic development of the craniofacial vasculature remains, however, under-exposed in the current literature. We imaged and created 3-dimensional (D) reconstructed images of the craniofacial arterial system from two early-stage human embryonic samples.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate the vascular development of the craniofacial region in early-stage human embryos, with a focus on understanding the interplay between vascular development and orofacial morphogenesis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Reconstructions (3-D) were generated from high-resolution diffusible iodine-based contrast-enhanced computed tomography (diceCT) images, enabling visualization of the orofacial arterial system in human embryonic samples of Carnegie stages (CS) 14 and 18 from the Dutch Fetal Biobank, corresponding to weeks 7 and 8.5 of gestation.

RESULTS

From two human embryonic samples (ages CS 14 and 18), the vascular development of the orofacial region at two different stages of development was successfully stained with B-Lugol and imaged using a micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) scanner with resolutions of 2.5-μm and 9-μm voxel sizes, respectively. Additionally, educational 3-D reconstructions of the orofacial vascular system were generated using AMIRA 2021.2 software.

CONCLUSION

Micro-CT imaging is an effective strategy for high-resolution visualization of vascular development of the orofacial region in human embryonic samples. The generated interactive 3-D educational models facilitate better understanding of the development of orofacial structures.

Address: Department of Oral Pain and Disfunction, Section Orofacial Anatomy, Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA), University of Amsterdam and VU University Amsterdam, Gustav Mahlerlaan 3004, 1081LA, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. [email protected].; Department of Medical Biology, Section Clinical Anatomy & Embryology, Amsterdam UMC, location AMC, Meibergdreef 15, 1105AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. [email protected].; Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, Meibergdreef 9, 1105AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. [email protected].; Department of Oral Pain and Disfunction, Section Orofacial Anatomy, Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA), University of Amsterdam and VU University Amsterdam, Gustav Mahlerlaan 3004, 1081LA, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.; Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, Meibergdreef 9, 1105AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Amsterdam UMC, location AMC, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.; Department of Pediatric Surgery, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, location AMC, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.; Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology Metabolism, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.; Department of Medical Biology, Section Clinical Anatomy & Embryology, Amsterdam UMC, location AMC, Meibergdreef 15, 1105AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.; Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, Meibergdreef 9, 1105AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Amsterdam UMC, location AMC, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.; Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, Meibergdreef 9, 1105AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.; Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Hand Surgery, Amsterdam UMC, location AMC, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.; Department of Medical Biology, Section Clinical Anatomy & Embryology, Amsterdam UMC, location AMC, Meibergdreef 15, 1105AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.; Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, Meibergdreef 9, 1105AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Amsterdam UMC, location AMC, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.; Department of Pediatric Surgery, Erasmus MC - Sophia Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Dr. Molewaterplein 40, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

DOI: 10.1007/s00247-024-06044-x

Link outs

Free resources

Full Text Sources:

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/pmid/3925485...

Subscription / membership required

Full Text Sources:

https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00247-024-06044-x

MeSH Terms: Humans, Imaging, Three-Dimensional, Face, Arteries, Contrast Media, Skull