These sulcal and gyral key points can be particularly useful for initial intraoperative sulci identification and dissection. Together, they compose a framework that can help in the understanding of hemispheric lesion localization, in the placement of supratentorial craniotomies, as landmarks for the transsulcal approaches to periventricular and intraventricular lesions, and in orienting the anatomic removal of gyral sectors that contain infiltrative tumors.

Our anatomical model provides the means to learn the endoscopic anatomy of the PPF and may be used for the simulation of surgical techniques. An endoscopic endonasal approach provides adequate exposure to all anatomical structures within the PPF. These structures may be used as landmarks to identify and control deeper neurovascular structures. The significance is that an anatomical model facilitates learning the surgical anatomy and the acquisition of surgical skills. A dissection superficial to the vascular structures preserves the neural elements. These nerves and their bony foramina, such as the vidian nerve and V2, are critical anatomical landmarks to identify and control the ICA at the skull base.

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PURPOSE:Our previous studies demonstrated structural and quantitative age-related changes of the elastic fibers in transversalis fascia, which may play a role in inguinal hernia formation. To verify whether there were differences in the extracellular matrix between direct and indirect inguinal hernia, we studied the amount of collagen and elastic fibers in the transversalis fascia of 36 male patients with indirect inguinal hernia and 21 with direct inguinal hernia. MATERIAL AND METHODS:Transversalis fascia fragments were obtained during surgical intervention and underwent histological quantitative analysis of collagen by colorimetry and analysis of elastic fibers by histomorphometry. RESULTS:We demonstrated significantly lower amounts of collagen and higher amounts of elastic fibers in transversalis fascia from patients with direct inguinal hernia compared to indirect inguinal hernia patients. The transversalis fascia from direct inguinal hernia patients showed structural changes of the mature and elaunin elastic fibers, which are responsible for elasticity, and lower density of oxytalan elastic fibers, which are responsible for resistance. These changes promoted loss of resiliency of the transversalis fascia.CONCLUSION: These results improve our understanding of the participation of the extracellular matrix in the genesis of direct inguinal hernia, suggesting a relationship with genetic defects of the elastic fiber and collagen synthesis. DESCRIPTORS: Inguinal hernia. Transversalis fascia. Elastin. Collagen. Extracellular matrix.

A specific course on sectional anatomy was developed to help medical students improve their knowledge of cross-sectional imaging. The educational methodology consists of identifying anatomical structures displayed in plastinated sections from human cadavers and corresponding anatomical structures in computed tomography (CT) sections from healthy patients. The course has a self-study format. To assess and verify the impact of learning sectional anatomy on radiological knowledge, students were asked to identify ten anatomical structures in CT images. This test was applied to two groups of students: Group I had been taught sectional anatomy with CT images 2 years before the test; Group II had not received instruction in sectional anatomy prior to the test. Analysis of the results revealed a significant difference in test scores (median percentages of correctly identified structures) between Group I and Group II, with scores of 100% and 63.4%, respectively. These results provide evidence that the inclusion of sectional anatomy training in medical school curricula has a great impact on subsequent CT interpretation.

The knowledge and association of different methods in pediatric bronchoscopy add the benefits of one method to another, minimizing the chances of therapeutic failure.

The authors describe how to use the three-dimensional (3D) anaglyphic method to produce stereoscopic prints for anatomical and surgical teaching and reports preparation by using currently available nonprofessional photographic and computer methods. As with any other method of producing stereoscopic images, the anaglyphic procedure is based on the superimposition of two slightly different images of the object to be reproduced, one seen more from a left-sided point of view and the other seen more from a right-sided point of view. The pictures are obtained using a single camera, which following the first shot can be slid along a special bar for the second shot, or by using two cameras affixed to a surgical microscope. After the images have been distinguished from each other by applying different complementary color dyes, the images are scanned and superimposed on each other with the aid of nonprofessional imaging-manipulation software used on a standard personal computer (PC), and are printed using a standard printer. To be seen stereoscopically, glasses with colored lenses, normally one red and one blue, have to be used. Stereoscopic 3D anaglyphic prints can be produced using standard photographic and PC equipment; after some training, the prints can be easily reproduced without significant cost and are particularly helpful to disclose the 3D character of anatomical structures.

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