Abstract

Background:
The rabbit kidney is described as unipapillary organ. According to other researchers, the kidney of rabbits has six to eight pyramids. Crista renalis is well differentiated.

Aim:
The aim of the study was to describe the CT anatomy and dimensions of the rabbit kidneys.

Methods:
The study subjects consisted of ten sexually mature, clinically healthy rabbits, divided into two groups (five males and five females). The animals were positioned in sternal recumbency. A helical computed tomograph SOMATOM was used in the study with consecutive Dicom Viewer reconstructions of the data.

Results:
On transverse precontrast CT scans the right kidney was observed between Th13(L1) and L2–L3, and the left one appeared between L2(L3) and L4(L5). The CT value of the right kidney was 40.28 ± 6.6 HU, that of the left kidney was 43.36 ± 5.2 HU. CT method was precise to found an excellent positive correlation between both kidney length (Y variable) and the length of L2 (X variable). The value of the correlation coefficient of Pearson was 0.957 for the right kidney and 0.961 for the left kidney at 95% CI. The measured length of both kidneys on CT scans demonstrated very strong positive correlation with L2 length.
The retrospective reconstruction presented both kidneys as multipapillary organs. Cortex renis and medulla renis were sharply distinct, and the boundary between capsula fibrosa and capsula adiposa was defined.

Conclusion:
The obtained in vivo results are precise and serve as an anatomical model for using CT in rabbits and other animal species, including humans.

Key words: Anatomy; CT; Kidney; Rabbit.