The Impact of Simulation-Based Teaching Module Involving Virtual Dissection on Anatomy Curriculum Delivery

Background: Knowledge of anatomy, one of the core preclinical subjects, is very important for medical undergraduates to have a thorough understanding of various clinical conditions. The traditional method of learning anatomy involves dissection of human cadavers. Medical education system is entering an era in which the traditional teaching methods are being supplemented by newer technological teaching techniques. Simulation based teaching like virtual dissection table “Anatomage” can enhance the understanding and retaining capacity of the subject. The aim of the study is to determine the perception of virtual dissection, among students and staff and to compare the knowledge acquired through simulation based teaching and traditional teaching method. Material and Method: The study comprised of 150 first-year MBBS students who attended regular theory class on ‘joints of musculoskeletal system’ and answered pre-test. The students were divided into two groups, based on teaching method, one which involved the use of a virtual dissection table, and the other, involving the use of cadaveric dissection. The students were made to attempt the post-test. The students were then assessed based on their responses to the pre- and post-tests. Feedback on the overall utility of the table from both students and staff was taken. Results: The mean post-test scores were significantly higher than the mean pre-test scores, irrespective of the teaching method used. (p<0.001) However, the students who were exposed to the virtual dissection table scored comparatively better in the post-test than those exposed to cadaveric dissection. (p<0.001) 100% of the faculty and 93.3% of the students agreed that three-dimensional visualization improves understanding of anatomical structures. Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that though cadaveric dissection and virtual dissection enhance learning, the students tend to perform better with virtual dissection. The incorporation of simulation-based teaching into the Anatomy curriculum is essential to supplement traditional cadaveric dissection and ensure engaging as well as high impact delivery of the curriculum.

Visualization of gross anatomy for ultrasound scanning planes using a virtual dissection table / Visualización de la anatomía macroscópica para planos de escaneo de ultrasonido utilizando una mesa de disección virtual

SUMMARY: There is a lack of visualization on gross anatomy planes for the non-orthogonal sections, such as subcostal and intercostal oblique scanning planes of ultrasound imaging. The aim of the present study was to visualize the anatomical image of corresponding plane for the oblique ultrasound scanning using a virtual dissection system. the oblique gross anatomy plane was constructed by appropriate segmentation using a virtual dissection table. A suitable cutting of the body plane was accomplished by turning on and off the organ systems, particularly the skeletal system, category, and structure. The right hepatic vein (RHV), middle hepatic vein (MHV), and left hepatic vein (LHV) for the right subcostal oblique plane appeared in the single slice plane. The location of the liver, gallbladder, and kidneys differently appeared in the oblique anatomical plane and body position. The results of this study suggest that using a virtual anatomy system contributes to improving the sonographer's ability to understand anatomy.

RESUMEN: Existe una falta de visualización en los planos de anatomía macroscópica para las secciones no ortogonales, tal como los planos de exploración oblicuos subcostales e intercostales en las imágenes de ultrasonido. El objetivo del presente estudio fue visualizar la imagen anatómica del plano correspondiente para la ecografía oblicua mediante un sistema de disección virtual. El plano de anatomía macroscópica oblicua se construyó mediante una adecuada segmentación utilizando una mesa de disección virtual. Se logró un corte correcto del plano corporal al encender y apagar los sistemas de órganos, particularmente el sistema esquelético, la categoría y la estructura. La vena hepática derecha, la vena hepática media y la vena hepática izquierda para el plano oblicuo subcostal derecho aparecieron en el plano de corte único. La ubicación del hígado, la vesícula biliar y los riñones aparecieron de manera diferente en el plano anatómico oblicuo y en la posición del cuerpo. Los resultados de este estudio sugieren que el uso de un sistema de anatomía virtual ayuda a mejorar la capacidad del ecografista para comprender la anatomía humana.

A Study on Student Perception of Virtual Dissection Table (Anatomage) at GSL Medical College, Rajahmundry

Introduction: The Anatomage Table is the only fully segmented real human 3D anatomy system. Individual structures are reconstructed in accurate 3D and it helps the medical pre-clinical students to explore and understand human anatomy like never before and even beyond a cadaveric dissection. Anatomage is an interface that affords students the opportunity to explore life-size anatomy on an interactive 3D table.[1] Aim and Objective: The aim of the study was to gather student opinion regarding this virtual dissection table (Anatomage) technology. Subjects and Methods: A questionnaire addressing the role of the Anatomage table in anatomy education and its comparison with various other learning modality was completed by 150 pre-clinical medical students. A free hand comment section was also included in the study. Results: 96% of students strongly preferred the cross sectional planes and images of Anatomage over still images of text book in learning Anatomy. 95% of students strongly agreed that the ability of Anatomage to rotate and dissect is better in visualizing the body systems. 90% of students strongly agreed that Anatomage can be an adjunct or added tool to cadaveric dissection but not its replacement.48% of students believe Anatomage visualisation is better than real dissected structures. Conclusion: Anatomage can play an important role in the acquisition of 3D knowledge of Anatomy and promises to be a useful added tool to traditional learning modalities, which still ranked high. This feedback also reveals that students are fascinated with the inclusion of Anatomage in their curriculum as it helps them in understanding, revising and learning in a better way than before. This virtual dissection table can be of immense help in medical colleges where sufficient number of cadavers are not available for Anatomical study.

Manufacture of the Serially Sectioned Images of the Whole Body (Fifth Report: Methods for Manufacture of the Three Dimensional Images and Virtual Dissection Software) / 대한해부학회지

To be helpful in medical education, anatomical images were made by serial sectioning of the Korean cadaver's whole body at 0.2 mm intervals. Successively, segmented images were made by outline drawing of thirteen anatomical structures on the anatomical images. First purpose of this research is to verify that anatomical and segmented images are correct by means of the virtual dissection of 3D (three dimensional) images, which are made of the anatomical and segmented images. Second purpose is to verify that the virtual dissection is helpful in studying anatomy. A 3D anatomical image and a 3D segmented image were made by stacking the anatomical and segmented images and subsequently by volume reconstructing after both intervals and pixel size of the anatomical and segmented images were reduced to be 1 mm. Virtual dissection software, on which the 3D anatomical and 3D segmented images could be sectioned at free angles, and the 3D anatomical images of the several anatomical structures could be selected to display referring to the 3D segmented image and could be rotated at the free angles, was made. As the result of this research, corresponding 3D anatomical and 3D segmented images (resolution 494x282x1,702) were prepared; and virtual dissection software, which could be conveniently operated on the personal computer, was prepared. On the virtual dissection software, stereoscopic shape and location of the anatomical structures were corresponding to anatomical knowledge, so that the anatomical and segmented images were verified to be correct. The virtual dissection software was verified to be helpful in studying stereoscopic shape and location of the anatomical structures. If the anatomical images, segmented images, 3D images, and virtual dissection software made in this research are distributed worldwide, they will help not only medical students and doctors study anatomy but also other researchers make better segmented images, 3D images, and virtual dissection software.

Three-dimensional image and virtual dissection program of the brain made of Korean cadaver

The three-dimensional (3D) structure of the brain needs to be understood for accurate diagnosis and treatment of brain diseases. The brain of a cadaver may not always be available for dissection when it is needed. To overcome this problem, we attempted to create a 3D image and virtual dissection program of the brain using a Korean cadaver. The brain extracted from a Korean male cadaver was embedded in gelatin solution. 130 MRI of the brain were taken and 130 serially-sectioned specimens were made. All of MRI and specimens were inputted into the computer, and 10 brain components were manually segmented. A 3D image and virtual dissection program of the brain was made. Various virtual dissection functions were established, such as 1) sectioning the 3D image of the brain at free angles to represent its plane as a real image, segmented image, and MRI, 2) identifying the brain components represented in the sectioned plane, and 3) rotating the 3D image of the whole brain or the selected brain components at free angles. The resulting virtual dissection program of the brain is helpful in better understanding the 3D location and shape of the brain components and it is expected to be used as a CD-title or through Internet as an educational tool for medical students and doctors.

Three-Dimensional Image and Virtual Dissection Program of the Lung Made of Korean Cadaver / 대한해부학회지

Knowledge of three-dimensional (3D) structure of the lung is very important for diagnosis and treatment of lung diseases. Two-dimensional (2D) tools (e.g. anatomy books) or traditional 3D tools (e.g. plastic models) are not sufficient for understanding 3D structure of the lung. The lung of a cadaver may not always be available for dissection, when it is needed. To overcome this problem, virtual dissection programs of the lung have been made. However, most programs include either 2D images that do not permit free sectioning and free rotating, or radiographs that do not reveal true color and have limited resolution. Moreover, it is necessary to make a virtual dissection program of each race and ethnic group. Thus, we attempted to make 3D image and virtual dissection program of the lung using a Korean cadaver in order to help medical students and doctors better understand 3D structure of the bronchi and pulmonary vessels. Both right and left lungs extracted from a 60-year old Korean male cadaver were embedded with gelatin solution, and were serially-sectioned with 1.5 mm-thickness using a meat slicer. Sectioned specimens from each lung were inputted into the computer using a scanner (300 x 400 resolution, true color). 2D images of the lungs were aligned on the alignment program which was composed using IDL language. The lung components, such as the bronchi and pulmonary vessels were manually segmented in 2D images on the CorelDRAW program. 3D images of the lung were reconstructed through the volume-based rendering of 2D images. With 3D images as the main features, the virtual dissection program of the lung was composed using IDL language. Various virtual dissection functions, such as sectioning 3D image of the lung at free angles to show its plane, identifying the bronchi and pulmonary vessels represented in the sectioned plane, and rotating 3D image of the whole lung or 3D image of the selected bronchi and pulmonary vessels at free angles, were established. This virtual dissection program of the lung was helpful in better understanding 3D location and shape of the bronchi and pulmonary vessels; it is expected to be used through Internet or CD-title as an educational tool for medical students and doctors.

Three-Dimensional Image and Virtual Dissection Program of the BronchopulmonarY Segments Made of Korean Cadaver: Three-dimensional image of bronchopulmonary segments / 대한의료정보학회지

Three-dimensional (3D) structure of the bronchopulmonary segments should be understood for accurate diagnosis and treatment of lung diseases. Two-dimensional (2D) tools (e.g. anatomy books) or traditional 3D tools (e.g. plastic models) are not sufficient for understanding 3D structure of the bronchopulmonary segments. The lung of a cadaver may not always be available for dissection, when it is needed. To overcome this problem, virtual dissection programs of the lung have been made. However, most programs include either 2D images that do not permit free dissection or radiographs that do not reveal true color and have limited resolution, and cannot represent 3D structure of the bronchopulmonary segments. Moreover, it is necessary to make a virtual dissection program of each race and ethnic group. Thus, we attempted to make a 3D image and virtual dissection program of the lung using a Korean cadaver in order to help medical students and doctors better understand 3D structure of the bronchopulmonary segments. One pair of lungs was extracted from a Korean male cadaver. Dye with specific color was injected into each segmental bronchus to distinguish bronchopulmonary segments. The lungs were embedded with gelatin solution, and serially-sectioned with 1 mm- thickness using a meat slicer. Sectioned specimens from each lung were inputted into the computer using a scanner (300 X 400 resolution, true color). 2D images of the lungs were aligned on the alignment program which was composed using IDL language. In 2D images, the bronchopulmonary segments were manually segmented by help of dye. 3D images of the bronchopulmonary segments were reconstructed through the volume-based rendering of 2D images. With 3D images as the main features, the virtual dissection program of the bronchopulmonary segments was composed using IDL language. Various virtual dissection functions, such as sectioning a lung at free angles to show its plane, identifying the bronchopulmonary segments represented in the sectioned plane, and rotating the selected bronchopulmonary segments at free angles, were established. This virtual dissection program of the bronchopulmonary segments is helpful in better understanding 3D location and shape of the bronchopulmonary segments; it is expected to be used through CD-title or Internet as an educational tool for medical students and doctors.