The use of anatomical models for learning anesthesia techniques in oral surgery.

Aim: The objective of this work is to present a new collaborative method for teaching administration of anesthetic block in dentistry, with three-dimensional anatomical models used to improve learning and thereby increase safety, reduce anxiety, and improve the performance of students during the administration of anesthesia in the patients. Materials and Methods: Three-dimensional (3D) models of skulls were made that reproduced all innervations of the V th cranial nerve (trigeminal nerve), as well as some blood vessels, glands, and muscles of mastication. For teaching the local anesthetic techniques we prepared pictures and videos of the administration of anesthesia in the models , which were presented to 130 students in two universities in Brazil. With the help of the models the students could follow the path of the nerves to be anesthetized and identify the anatomical points of reference for the correct positioning of the needle in the tissues. After the presentation the students answered a questionnaire aiming to assess the effect of the 3D models on learning. Results: Eighty-eight percent of students rated the material as excellent, 12% as good, 0% as regular, and 0% as bad (unnecessary materials). After the presentation, 70% of the students felt confident about being able to achieve the nerve block in patients. Conclusion: When exposed to an appropriate method, students recognized the importance of knowledge of anatomy for learning local anesthetic techniques. This method improved the quality of education and increased patient safety during the first injection.

Efficacy of I-123/I-131 Metaiodobenzylguanidine Scan as A Single Initial Diagnostic Modality in Pheochromocytoma: Comparison with Biochemical Test and Anatomic Imaging / 핵의학분자영상

PURPOSE: We underwent this study to evaluate the diagnostic potential of I-123/I-131 metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) scintigraphy alone in the initial diagnosis of pheochromocytoma, compared with biochemical test and anatomic imaging. MATERIALS & METHODS: Twenty two patients (M:F=13:9, Age: 44.3+/- 19.3 years) having the clinical evaluation due to suspicious pheochromocytoma received the biochemical test, anatomic imaging modality (CT and/or MRI) and I-123/I-131 MIBG scan for diagnosis of pheochromocytoma, prior to histopathological confirmation. MIBG scans were independently reviewed by 2 nuclear medicine physicians. RESULTS: All patients were confirmed histopathologically by operation or biopsy (incisional or excisonal). In comparison of final diagnosis and findings of each diagnostic modality, the sensitivities of the biochemical test, anatomic imaging, and MIBG scan were 88.9%, 55.6%, and 88.9%, respectively. And the specificities of the biochemical test, anatomic imaging, and MIBG scan also were 69.2%, 69.2%, and 92.3%, respectively. MIBG scan showed one false positive (neuroblastoma) and one false negative finding. There was one patient with positive MIBG scan and negative findings of the biochemical test, anatomic imaging. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that I-123/I-131 MIBG scan has higher sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy than those of biochemical test and anatomic imaging. Thus, we expect that MIBG scan is e tectively used for initial diagnosis of pheochromocytoma alone as well as biochemical test and anatomic imaging.