Avian neurology access by x-ray microtomography

TAMBUSSI, C.P.; DEGRANGE, F.J.; TIRAO, G.

Rio de Janeiro

Congreso; XV Latin American Seminary of Analysis by X-Ray Techniques; 2016

SARX

The study in avianneurology has been largely enrichened by the use of CT scans. This methodologypresents obvious advantages. Materials usually do not need treatment beforeentering the scanner, no deterioration occurs during the scan, and the resultsallow the reconstruction of high-quality 3D models, which represent anessential step in order to perform more complex anatomical and biomechanicalstudies. The datasets obtained by the scans are longlasting and easilyportable, facilitating the comparison and study of the 3D models obtained,which are easily manipulated, sectioned and redescribed. More importantly, thismethodology provides data on extant taxa characterized as ?very rare? orendangered, and extinct birds rare in the fossil record. In order to explorebrain anatomy in several bird species, X-ray micro-CT data were obtained usingan experiemntal micro-CT scanner available at Facultad de Matemática,Astronomía y Física (FaMAF). This equipment allows to obtain 2D and 3D imagesup to 20 cmx 20 cmwith resolutions of 194 microns. It is also possible to maximize the quality ofthe images from the control of main parameters involved in the imageacquisition: conformation of the X-ray beam (spatial and spectraldistribution), counting statistics, number of projections, relative position ofthe sample and detector. Differentreconstruction algorithms and filteringalgorithms were implemented in order to obtain highest quality 3D models. This is actually possible thanks to theinterdisciplinary work of professionals from different areas of knowledge.