Confocal imaging reveals three-dimensional fine structure difference between ventral and dorsal nerve roots

J Biomed Opt. 2011 May;16(5):050502. doi: 10.1117/1.3575167.

Abstract

Peripheral nerve injury repair is one of the most challenging problems in neurosurgery, partially due to lack of knowledge of three-dimensional (3-D) fine structure and organization of peripheral nerves. In this paper, we explored the structures of nerve fibers in ventral and dorsal nerves with a laser scanning confocal microscopy. Thick tissue staining results suggested that nerve fibers have a different 3-D structure in ventral and dorsal nerves, and reconstruction from serial sectioning images showed that in ventral nerves the nerve fibers travel in a winding form, while in dorsal nerves, the nerve fibers form in a parallel cable pattern. These structural differences could help surgeons to differentiate ventral and dorsal nerves in peripheral nerve injury repair, and also facilitate scientists to get a deeper understanding about nerve fiber organization.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms*
  • Animals
  • Dogs
  • Equipment Design
  • Equipment Failure Analysis
  • Microscopy, Confocal / instrumentation*
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence / instrumentation*
  • Pattern Recognition, Automated / methods*
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Spinal Nerve Roots / cytology*