A simple technique to measure paw volume in anti-inflammatory studies

A simple technique using common laboratory materials based on overflow-refill principle is described. The technique provides a retrievable permanent record for re-check, ease of single handed operation, and accurate and dependable volume-measurements. The use of mercury and observer's bias have been completely eliminated. Trustworthiness of the technique was confirmed by comparing the estimated and known volume (0.3 to 2.4 ml) of different objects. Further comparison of volume estimation of rat paw by this technique with that by another method, showed the new method to be more accurate with coefficient of variation of 8.98% as opposed to 15.60 % for the other methods.