Three‐dimensional reconstruction of the ankle by means of ultrathin slice plastination

Abstract

Computerized reconstruction of anatomical structures is becoming very useful for developing anatomical teaching modules and animations. Although databases exist consisting of serial sections derived from frozen cadaver material, plastination represents an alternate method for developing anatomical data useful for computerized reconstruction. Plastination is used as an excellent tool for studying different anatomical and clinical questions. The sheet plastination technique is unique because it offers the possibility to produce transparent slices series, which can easily be processed morphometrically. The purpose of this study was to describe a method for developing a computerized model of the human ankle using plastinated slices. This method could be applied to reconstruct any desired region of the human body.A human ankle was obtained, plastinated, sectioned, and subjected to 3D computerized reconstruction using WinSURF modeling system (SURFdriver Software). Qualitative observations revealed that the morphological features of the model were consistent with those displayed by typical cadaveric specimens. Morphometric analysis indicated that the model did not significantly differ from a sample of cadaveric specimens. These data support the use of plastinates for generating tissues sections useful for 3D computerized modeling.

Rapid ultrathin slice plastination of embalmed specimens with minimal tissue loss

“…Ultrathin slices of 1 mm thickness or less are an extension of this technique. These thin slices are suitable for histologic studies and three-dimensional tissue reconstruction (Fritsch et al, 1991;Sora et al, 2004;Sora et al, 2007). Traditionally, ultrathin slices have been produced by sectioning a hard, E12 impregnated resin block of tissue with a diamond band saw.…”

“…However, this is considerably shorter than other reported timelines for producing ultrathin E12 slices. Sora et al (2004Sora et al ( , 2007 documented a processing time of 102 days (this included preliminary freezing of fresh tissue at À808C for one week). Thin slices are more readily impregnated with resin than large tissue blocks, which also require higher temperatures (30-608C) during treatment (Sora et al, 2004.…”

“…A wide range of plastination techniques was developed including E12 sheet plastination, which typically produces tissue slices with a thickness of between 2.5 mm and 3 mm (Fasel et al, 1988;Cook and Al-Ali, 1997;Johnson et al, 2001). Several publications subsequently described ultrathin slice plastination, a technique which yields slices of 1 mm or less in thickness suitable for histology or three-dimensional reconstruction (Fritsch et al, 1991;Windisch and Weiglein, 2001;Sora et al, 2004;Sora et al, 2007). These rely on grinding standard slices of epoxy resin impregnated and cured tissue specimens (Fritsch et al, 1991) and/or slicing a block of E12 impregnated and cured tissue with a diamond band saw.…”

Human body exhibitions: public opinion of young individuals and contemporary bioethics

“…The dry, odorless, life-like preserved anatomical specimens constitute an irreplaceable tool for anatomical instruction [8]. The technique of even transparent-plastinized tissue slices creation may be compared to those of various imaging techniques [20], contribute to a 3D computer model construction [22], and is particularly useful in neuroanatomy teaching for structure identiWcation such as the grey matter and white medulla [8]. Unfavorably, the depersonalized plastinates cannot motivate medical students to confront the grandness of the body, while anatomy teaching in rigidly Wxed specimens cannot assist in improving their surgical skills [4,27].…”

Engaging with plastination and the Body Worlds phenomenon: A cultural and intellectual challenge for anatomists

“…The potential of plastination lies in its ability to preserve delicate structures and their interconnections, enabling them to be traced microscopically (Jones, 2002). Even ultrathin plastinated slices can be obtained and have been used to construct precise three-dimensional computer models of anatomical structures (Sora et al, 2007). To date, plastination techniques have featured in studies of anatomical organization in the female urethra (Fritsch et al, 2006), esophageal muscles (Wang et al, 2007), the carpal tunnel (Sora and Genser-Strobl, 2005), and skin ligaments (Nash et al, 2004).…”