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Updated: May 20, 2026
Computer-assisted Large-scale Visualization and Quantification of Pancreatic Islet Mass, Size Distribution and Architecture
Published on: March 4, 2011
Three-dimensional analysis of the islet vasculature
Y El-Gohary1, S Sims-Lucas, N Lath
1Division of Pediatric General and Thoracic Surgery, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.
Abstract:
The pancreatic islets of Langerhans are highly vascularized structures scattered throughout the pancreas that contain a capillary network 5-10 times denser than that of the exocrine pancreas. A simple method for three-dimensional (3D) analysis of this intricate intraislet vasculature has been difficult because of the intrinsic opacity of the pancreas. We developed a whole-mount imaging technique that allows relatively easy visualization of the islet vasculature. In combination with confocal microscopy and the use of 3D imaging software, we were able to readily reconstruct the 3D architecture of an islet, allowing delineation of the islet volume, length of the intraislet vessels, and the number of vessel branch-points. This technique allows for straightforward 3D image analysis that may help toward understanding islet function.
