Integrated teaching of anatomy and radiology using three-dimensional image post-processing

Abstract

This article presents a new way of teaching by integrating both anatomy and radiology using three-dimensional image post-processing tools. One preclinical and one clinical module were developed for integrated teaching of anatomy and radiology. Potential benefits were assessed by anonymous evaluation among the 176 participating students. The students highly appreciated the new approach, especially the high degree of interactivity with the post-processing software and the possibility to correlate the real dissection with the virtual dissection. Students agreed that three-dimensional imaging and postprocessing improved their understanding of difficult anatomical topics and topographical relations. We consider the new approach to provide great additional benefits for participating students regarding preparation for everyday clinical practice. In particular, it imparts familiarity with imaging and image post-processing techniques and may improve anatomical understanding, radiological diagnostic skills and three-dimensional appreciation.

Interactive radiological anatomy eLearning solution for first year medical students: Development, integration, and impact on learning

“…Together, the technological advances and trend towards contextual, integrated teaching of radiology from the early years have resulted in a variety of ways in which technologies are utilized for the delivery of radiology teaching and learning within anatomy. Examples include digital radiological images with annotations (Grunewald et al, ; Ketelsen et al, ), multiplanar viewing and three‐dimensional reconstruction (Petersson et al, ; Rengier et al, ; Tam, ), cadaver imaging combined with dissection (Chew et al, ; Jacobson et al, ; Lufler et al, ; May et al, ), digital imaging libraries and access to Picture Archiving and Communication Systems (PACS) (Miles, ; Turmezei et al, ).…”

Specializing Anatomy - Developing an Integrated Radiological Anatomy Module for the First Year Medical Students

“…Similarly, 72% to 77% of students agreed or strongly agreed the cross-sectional practical sessions helped them to better understand the imaging modalities of CT, MRI and ultrasound, with a mean Likert rating of 3.9 to 4.0 [39]. In another study [11], students felt that three-dimensional imaging and post-processing helped to better understand difficult anatomical topics and topographical relations. Students felt that modules combining anatomy and radiology gave long term benefits [11].…”

“…In another study [11], students felt that three-dimensional imaging and post-processing helped to better understand difficult anatomical topics and topographical relations. Students felt that modules combining anatomy and radiology gave long term benefits [11]. The introduction of imaging anatomy in tandem with regional anatomy schedule presents one of the great opportunities for vertical integration of anatomy throughout undergraduate medical curriculum.…”

“…It can provide the future doctors with a succinct and true-tolife view of the normal as well as the disease processes in a non-invasive manner [9,10]. Rengier et al, had stated that "three-dimensional imaging and post processing helps to understand difûcult anatomical structures and topographical relations in a better way" [11]. Regardless of the choice of speciality, almost every future doctor would utilize diagnostic imaging in patient care [12].…”

Adaptive GPU Ray Casting Based on Spectral Analysis

“…The 3D visualization of computer tomographic (CT) data by means of real-time volume rendering techniques is widely used in clinical diagnostics and medical education [10] [12]. In order to obtain meaningful and visually pleasant 3D images, the gray values of the CT dataset are assigned different optical properties (color values) through the so called transfer function.…”