Plastinated sectional anatomy applied in CT and MRI studies of the body of the crab-eating fox (Cerdocyon thous)

The crab-eating fox (Cerdocyon thous) is a wild canid with a wide geographic distribution and a high propensity for roadkill in Brazil. Accurate diagnosis and appropriate clinical-surgical management require in-depth anatomical knowledge of the species, which is still limited for C. thous. This study aimed to correlate the sectional anatomy of C. thous through plastination, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) following the anatomical principle of metamerism to build the vertebrate body. Four animals underwent CT and MRI scans, and the images were stored in DICOM format. Then, the specimens were subjected to silicone plastination at a cold temperature using the forced impregnation technique in four stages: fixation, dehydration, impregnation, and curing. Additionally, three-dimensional rendering and multiplanar virtual dissections were performed to identify and describe the anatomical and syntopic correlations. Furthermore, the transverse slices of plastinated specimens were used to describe the anatomical details of the head, neck, thorax, abdomen, and pelvis. This study showed that correlating the plastinated sections with CT and MRI images may enhance anatomical knowledge and the reading and interpretation of imaging examinations in wild species that lack comprehensive anatomical or clinical-surgical information.