Classical analysis of biological samples requires the destruction of the tissue's integrity by cutting or grinding it down to thin slices for (Immuno)-histochemical staining and microscopic analysis. Despite high specificity, encoded in the stained 2D section of the whole tissue, the structural information, especially 3D information, is limited. Computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans performed prior to sectioning in combination with image registration algorithms provide an opportunity to regain access to morphological characteristics as well as to relate histological findings to the 3D structure of the local tissue environment. This review provides a summary of prevalent literature addressing the problem of multimodal coregistration of hard- and soft-tissue in microscopy and tomography. Grouped according to the complexity of the dimensions, including image-to-volume (2D ⟶ 3D), image-to-image (2D ⟶ 2D), and volume-to-volume (3D ⟶ 3D), selected currently applied approaches are investigated by comparing the method accuracy with respect to the limiting resolution of the tomography. Correlation of multimodal imaging could position itself as a useful tool allowing for precise histological diagnostic and allow the a priori planning of tissue extraction like biopsies.
Background: Typically, the celiac trunk and superior mesenteric artery branch off separately from the anterior aspect of the abdominal aorta. The celiacomesenteric trunk (CMT) is a rare variant in which those arteries share a common origin. We sought to compare the prevalence of CMT in the Caribbean with the global prevalence as calculated by a systematic review.
Methods: In this study, we evaluated all consecutive patients who had multiphase contrast-enhanced CT scans at two major referral centres in the Caribbean from August 30, 2017, to September 1, 2019. In patients with a CMT, we recorded demographic and anatomic details. We then conducted a systematic literature search and retrieved raw data to calculate the global prevalence (number of individuals with a CMT divided by the sum total of study samples). We compared CMT prevalence in our sample with the global prevalence using Pearson's chi-square and Fisher's exact tests. Statistical significance was considered to be present when the P value was <0.05.
Results: From 832 CTs, 665 scans met the inclusion criteria. There were 16 (2.41%) CMTs: 3 (0.45%) classic CMTs, 12 (1.8%) hepato-mesenteric trunks, and 1 (0.15%) hepato-spleno-mesenteric trunk. Forty-two studies reported on CMTs in a total of 74,320 persons. The global CMT prevalence was comparable (3.88%; P = 0.054), but the incidence of hepato-mesenteric variants was significantly lower in our sample (1.8% vs. 3.24%; P = 0.0352).
Conclusion: There was no difference in the prevalence of a classic CMT in the Caribbean compared to the global prevalence. However, the hepato-mesenteric trunk (incomplete CMT variant) was significantly less prevalent in the Caribbean. Advances in Knowledge: Healthcare professionals performing hepatobiliary interventions must be aware of these differences in order to minimize morbidity during their interventions.