Improved Sectioned Images of the Female Pelvis Showing Detailed Urogenital and Neighboring Structures / 체질인류학회지

The sectioned images (SIs) of the pelvis from a female cadaver are the best source of realistic three-dimensional (3D) models of the female urogenital system. The purpose of this research is to present SIs and outlined images of the female pelvis with improved quality, which may be used to produce 3D models to simulate virtual dissection or surgery of the female urogenital and adjacent structures. A pelvis of Korean female cadaver which preserved buttock curve was scanned with 3T MR and CT machines. The pelvis was embedded and milled at 0.1 mm intervals. All sectioned surfaces were photographed to create horizontal SIs. On the Photoshop, 73 structures were outlined in the SIs to create outlined images. Once the structures were outlined, volume and surface models of the structures could be produced. A total of 222 MRIs and 222 CTs of a female pelvis were obtained. 2,220 SIs of the pelvis were obtained (0.1x0.1x0.1mm3-sized voxels; 48 bits color). 222 outlined images of 73 structures were prepared at 1mm intervals. Once the structures were outlined, 3D volume and surface models of the structures were produced without the help of the computer programmers using MRIcro and Maya software. We have produced high quality SIs of the female pelvis accompanied by corresponding MRI and CT images. 3D volume and surface models of the female pelvic structures have been constructed. These computerized models may serve as the basis for future realistic medical simulation programs that may enhance clinical understanding of pelvic anatomy.

Serially Sectioned Images of the Whole Body (Eighth Report: Segmentation of the Upper Limb's Structures) / 대한해부학회지

Whole body of a Korean male cadaver was serially milled to make sectioned images. Segmentation of various anatomical structures can expand the utilization of the sectioned images such as three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of the structures of real human. Following previous outlining of lower limb's structures, we decided to make segmented images of upper limb's structures in detail. Ninety-one structures (a skin, 32 bones, 49 muscles, 6 arteries, and 3 nerves) in the left upper limb were segmented in 628 sectioned images. While doing this, we developed more efficient technique for segmentation. To draw the outlines of various structures more quickly, sectioned images were filtered first and then outlines were drawn by 'quick selection' tool and other tools on the Photoshop. Also, outlines were automatically generated by interpolation using Combustion software. We made coronal and sagittal segmented images, browsing software of the serially sectioned images, volume 3D images, and surface 3D images for verifying segmentation. These segmented and sectioned images of the upper limb are expected to help other researchers make 3D images and various software of upper limb and to have widespread applications in both medical learning and research.

Three Dimensional Automatic Surface Reconstruction Software / 대한의료정보학회지

OBJECTIVE: After drawing and stacking contour of structures, which are identifed in the serially sectioned images, three-dimensional (3D) images can be made by surface reconstruction. The 3D images can be selected and rotated in a real time. The purpose of this research is to compose software of automatic surface reconstruction for making 3D images. METHODS: Contours of 55 structures in the 613 magnetic resonance images of whole body were drawn to make segmented images. We composed automatic software for stacking contours of a structure, for converting the contours into polygons, and for connecting vertices of the neighboring polygons to fill gaps between polygons with triangular surfaces. The surface reconstruction software was excuted to make 3D images of 55 structures. RESULTS: Virtual dissection software, on which 3D images could be selected and rotated, was composed. CONCLUSION: For other research, this like program can be composed for automatic surface reconstruction; several kinds of commercial software can be used for manual or automatic surface reconstruction. Investigators might choose one of the methods in consideration of their only circumstances.

Granular Cell Tumors of the Abdominal Wall

Granular cell tumors (GCT) are found in virtually any body site, including the tongue, skin, subcutaneous tissue, breast, rectum and vulva. However, they are rarely seen in the abdominal wall. We report here on a rare case of GCT in the rectus muscle of the abdominal wall. A 44-year-old woman presented with a non-tender, hard mass in the right lower abdominal wall. Upon microscopic examination, the tumor was found to comprise of large polygonal cells with an abundant eosinophilic granular cytoplasm and round to oval nuclei. Upon immunohistochemical staining, the large cells showed S-100 and CD68 positive granular aggregates in the cytoplasm. Many lysosomes of variable size were observed in the cytoplasm.

Granular Cell Tumors of the Abdominal Wall

Granular cell tumors (GCT) are found in virtually any body site, including the tongue, skin, subcutaneous tissue, breast, rectum and vulva. However, they are rarely seen in the abdominal wall. We report here on a rare case of GCT in the rectus muscle of the abdominal wall. A 44-year-old woman presented with a non-tender, hard mass in the right lower abdominal wall. Upon microscopic examination, the tumor was found to comprise of large polygonal cells with an abundant eosinophilic granular cytoplasm and round to oval nuclei. Upon immunohistochemical staining, the large cells showed S-100 and CD68 positive granular aggregates in the cytoplasm. Many lysosomes of variable size were observed in the cytoplasm.

Serially Sectioned Images of the Whole Body (Seventh Report: Segmentation of Lower Limb's Structures in Detail) / 대한해부학회지

Whole body of a Korean male cadaver was serially sectioned to make anatomical images. Structures in the anatomical images should be segmented to make three-dimensional images of the structures. Purpose of this research is to prepare the segmented images of lower limb in detail, which are distributed to help other investigators make 3D images and virtual dissection software of lower limb. One-hundred fourteen structures (a skin, 32 bones, 7 knee joint structures, 60 muscles, 7 arteries, 7 nerves) of left lower limb were decided to segment in 976 temporary segmented images (PSD file, intervals 1.0 mm, resolution 1,200 x 1,100) including anatomical images. On the Adobe Photoshop, selections which fit the structures' contours were drawn automatically, semiautomatically, or manually; subsequently, the selections were put into the layers. After filling the selections with colors, the temporary segmented images were converted to 996 segmented images (TIFF files). The segmented images were staked to make coronal and sagittal segmented images for verifying segmentation. The corresponding segmented and anatomical images can be used to make three-dimensional images of the 114 structures and virtual dissection software, which are helpful in anatomy study of lower limb. The segmentation techniques of this research can be used to segment many structures in other images quickly and correctly.

Serially Sectioned and Segmented Images of the Mouse for Learning Mouse Anatomy / 대한해부학회지

Mouse anatomy is fundamental knowledge for researchers who perform biomedical experiments with mice. The purpose of our research is to present the serially sectioned images and segmented images of the mouse to produce three-dimensional images of the mouse, which are helpful in learning mouse anatomy. Using a cryomacrotome, a couple of male and female mice were transversely serially sectioned at 0.5 mm intervals to make sectioned surfaces. The sectioned surfaces were digitalized to make serially sectioned images. In the serially sectioned images of the female mouse, 14 structures including skin and bones were semi-automatically segmented on Adobe Photoshop software to make segmented images. The serially sectioned images and segmented images were stacked to make sagittal and coronal images, which were used for verifying the serially sectioned images and segmented images. In this ongoing research, the segmented images of male mouse will be added. All serially sectioned images and segmented images of the mouse will be presented worldwide. These images are expected to be used by many researchers for making three-dimensional images and virtual dissection software of the mouse, which are helpful in comprehending the stereoscopic morphology of the mouse's structures.

Serial Slice Images and Segmented Images of the Brainstem for Recognizing the Stereoscopic Morphology of its Nuclei and Tracts / 체질인류학회지

The purpose of this research is to present the serial slice images and segmented images of the human brainstem to make the three-dimensional (3D) images, which are helpful in recognizing stereoscopic morphology of the brainstem components. A brainstem was taken out from a cadaver. The brainstem was embedded with paraffin to make brainstem block. The brainstem block was serially sectioned and digitalized to make slice images. In the slice images, 28 brainstem components including several nuclei and tracts were segmented to make segmented images. The segmented images were volume-reconstructed to make 3D images. One hundred forty-three couples of serial slice images and segmented images with 0.5 mm intervals, 360 x 88 resolution, 0.125 mm pixel size, and 8 bits gray were achieved. 3D images of the brainstem components were sectioned and rotated. The serial slice images and segmented images were verified by the result that coronal images, sagittal images, and 3D images of the brainstem were not distorted. The serial slice images and segmented images of the brainstem, which were prepared in this research, will be presented to the world. The images are expected to be used for other researchers to make 3D images and virtual dissection software which are helpful in recognizing stereoscopic morphology of the brainstem components.

Anatomy Cartoon for Common People / 대한해부학회지

Anatomy must be known not only by medical students but also by health science students. Furthermore, common people had better know anatomy because anatomy helps them keep their own health and dig up their own curiosity of body. It is desirable that common people learn morphology and function of the human body using easy, familiar, and interesting anatomy cartoon. But we could not find such a Korean anatomy cartoon, so that we tried to make anatomy cartoon for common people as follows. For anatomy cartoon, anatomist decided anatomy contents to write sentences. Based on the sententces, raw illustrations of anatomy cartoon were drawn on the paper with a pencil. Final illustrations of anatomy cartoon (931 cuts) were drawn on Adobe Illustrator of the personal computer. In addition, anatomy comic cartoon composed of four cuts (100 episodes) were drawn. Anatomy term explanations, anatomy photographs, and anatomy movies were created and hyperlinked with the anatomy cartoon, all of which were distributed through homepage (anatomy.co.kr), CD title, and book. The anatomy cartoon will be helpful not only to anatomy study of the common people and health science students but also to preliminary anatomy study of the medical students.

Dermatoglyphic Characteristics of Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis / 체질인류학회지

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), which is frequently involved in the articulations of the hands and feet, is known to be related with inheritance. Dermatoglyphics, the patterns of ridges on the skin of the fingertips, palms, and soles, are mostly related with inheritance. The purpose of this study is to verify the possibility that dermatoglyphics are helpful for the diagnosis of RA. We attempted to compare the characteristics of the fingerprints, palmprints, and palm creases in 67 Korean RA patients (RA group) to those in 3, 216 normal Korean persons. In the RA group, the radial loop and whorl were more frequent whereas the arch and ulnar loop were less frequent. The total fingerprint ridges were more numerous and 11 palmprint D type was more frequent in the RA group. Also, the Simian and Sydney creases were more frequent and the total degree of palm crease transversality was lower in the RA group. In addition, a part of the dermatoglyphic characteristics of the Korean RA group were different from those of the Indian RA group. These results suggest that dermatoglyphics may be helpful in the diagnosis of Korean RA patients.

Three Dimensional MRI and Software for Studying Normal Anatomical Structures of an Entire Body

For identifying the pathological findings in magnetic resonance images (MRIs), normal anatomical structures in MRIs should be identified in advance. For studying the anatomical structures in MRIs, a learning tool that includes the followings is necessary. First, MRIs of the entire body; second, horizontal, coronal, and sagittal MRIs; third, segmented images corresponding to the MRIs; fourth, three dimensional (3D) images of the anatomical structures in the MRIs; fifth, software incorporating the MRIs, segmented images, and 3D images. Such a learning tool, however, is hard to obtain. Therefore, in this research, such a learning tool which helps medical students and doctors study the normal anatomical structures in MRIs was made as follows. A healthy young Korean male adult with standard body shape was selected. Six hundred thirteen MRIs of the entire body were scanned (slice thickness 3 mm, interslice gap 0 mm, field of view 480 mm x 480 mm, resolution 512 x 512, T1 weighted), and transferred to the personal computer. Sixty anatomical structures in the MRIs were segmented to make segmented images. Coronal, sagittal MRIs and coronal, sagittal segmented images were made. On the basis of the segmented images, forty-seven anatomical structures' 3D images were made by manual surface reconstruction method. Software incorporating the MRIs, segmented images, and 3D images was composed. This learning tool that includes horizontal, coronal, sagittal MRIs of the entire body, corresponding segmented images, 3D images of the anatomical structures in the MRIs, and software is expected to help medical students and doctors study the normal anatomical structures in MRIs. This learning tool will be presented worldwide through Internet or CD titles.

Three-Dimensional Images and Software for Studying Anatomical Structures in MRIs / 체질인류학회지

Medical students and doctors should study the appearance of normal anatomical structures in the magnetic resonance images (MRIs). For this purpose, horizontal, coronal, sagittal MRIs of a healthy entire body and corresponding segmented images were prepared. However, it is inconvenient to select interesting MRIs and segmented images; and it is difficult to understand how stereoscopic anatomical structures appear in the MRIs. Therefore, in this research, a software, on which interesting MRIs can be conveniently displayed among the horizontal, coronal, sagittal MRIs and corresponding segmented images can be displayed together, was composed. And after stacking the segmented images, three-dimensional (3D) image of each anatomical structure was manually reconstructed by surface rendering. Then another software, on which interesting 3D images of anatomical structures can be displayed and rotated, was composed too. These softwares are expected to help medical students and doctors understand normal anatomical structures in the MRIs and read pathological findings in the MRIs of patients.

Methods for Serial Sectioning of the Brain Using a Meat Slicer and for Manufacture of the Permanent Specimens of Brain Slices / 대한해부학회지

It is important for the medical students to understand the horizontal planes of human normal brain. Particularly in recent decades, the popularization of magnetic resonance images has made the horizontal planes of brain more necessary. Color atlas of neuroanatomy or plastic models of brain have been widely used for this purpose. However, they are as nor realistic neither accurate as the human brain specimens. Thus, it is necessary to make educational tools of the human brain specimens. In most cases, brains are serially sectioned with 10 mm-thickness, but this is not sufficient for the close observation. Brains can be serially sectioned with 1 mm-thickness by using a polycut or cryomacrotome. However, those equipments cost high and the samples should be treated for a long period of time before serial sectioning. If the brain slices are preserved in the preservative solution, they can be easily damaged. In order to overcome this problem, the plastination method which allows plastic to penetrate into brain tissues was developed. However, this method costs high and requires the complex technique. Thus, we attempted to develop a rapid way to make the permanent specimens of brain slices with reasonable efforts using synthetic resin. A brain of 41 years old man cadaver was taken out and soaked in 10% formalin solution. The embedding box was made of acryl plate and acryl cylinder. An amount of 20% gelatin solution was poured into the embedding box and solidified to make gelatin bottom. The brain was put on the gelatin bottom, while the brain direction was adjusted for horizontal serial sectioning of the brain. 25% gelatin solution is poured and solidified to make gelatin cover. A brain block including brain, gelatin bottom and cover was extracted from the embedding box and the brain block was soaked in 10% formalin solution to make it suitably solid. The brain block was fixed on a meat slicer and serially sectioned at 5 mm-thickness to make 28 brain slices. The brain slices were dehydrated in glycerin solution, which was subsequently removed using paper towel. The permanent specimen molds were made of glass plate and acryl plates. An amount of synthetic resin mixture was poured into the permanent specimen mold and solidified to make synthetic resin bottom. Each brain slice was put on the resin bottom. Synthetic resin mixture was poured and solidified to make synthetic resin cover. Each permanent specimen including brain slice, synthetic resin bottom and cover is extracted from the permanent specimen mold. Margins of the permanent specimens of brain slices were trimmed using an electric acryl cutter and surfaces of the permanent specimens were grinded using an electric sandpaper machine and an electric polishing machine. Signs of the numbers and directions of brain slices were attached on the permanent specimens. Twenty eight horizontal brain slices were made; and each brain slice was processed to make a permanent specimen, so that 28 permanent specimens of brain slices were prepared. The permanent specimens showed the lean surfaces of brain slices with discrimination of the gray and white matters. Using the methods which have been developed in this research, the permanent specimens of brain slices can be made with relatively low cost and little time consuming, which will be practically helpful for neuroanatomy education.

Manufacture of the Serially Sectioned Images of the Whole Body (Third Report: Methods for Manufacture of the Segmented Images, Coronal Segmented Images, and Sagittal Segmented Images) / 대한해부학회지

While three dimensional (3D) images of the whole body can be reconstructed by using the serially sectioned images, 3D image of each anatomical structure can be reconstructed by using the segmented images. In this research, outlines of skin, bones, liver, lungs, kidneys, urinary bladder, heart, and brain in the anatomical images were decided to segment, and luminal outlines of digestive tract, respiratory tract, and arteries were decided to segment too. On the Adobe Photoshop, selections were semiautomatically drawn along outlines of the anatomical structures and semiautomatically corrected using magnetic lasso tool. Successively, selections were manually corrected either using lasso tool or through work path. The selections were filled with colors to make segmented images. By stacking rows and columns of the segmented images, coronal and sagittal segmented images were made. The coronal and sagittal segmented images were observed to find incorrect segmented images, which were revised. 8,507 segmented images with 0.2 mm intervals, 3,040x2,008 resolution, 0.2 mm pixel size, and 8 bits color depth were achieved, so that file size of 1 segmented image and 8,507 segmented images was 5.8 Mbytes and 48.3 Gbytes, respectively. These segmented images will be the basis for the development of 3D images of the anatomical structures and software of virtual dissection and virtual endoscopy, which are helpful in studying anatomy and endoscopy.