Prototyping and 3D printing of computed tomography images with an emphasis on soft tissues, especially muscles, for teaching human anatomy / Prototipado e impresión 3D de imágenes de tomografía computarizada con énfasis en los tejidos blandos, especialmente músculos, para la enseñanza de la anatomía humana

The study on cadavers, although considered fundamental in the teaching of human anatomy, is limited in several universities, mainly due to the acquisition and manipulation of cadaveric material. Throughout history, several artificial anatomical models have been used to complement the real anatomical pieces. The present study offers a new alternative: the making of three-dimensional models from Computed Tomography (3D-CT) patient image acquisition. CT images from the USP University Hospital database were used. Patients underwent examinations for reasons other than the present study and were anonymized to maintain confidentiality. The CT slices obtained in thin cross-sections (approximately 1.0 mm thick) were converted into three-dimensional images by a technique named Volume Rendering for visualization of soft tissue and bone. The reconstructions were then converted to an STL (Standard Triangle Language) model and printed through two printers (LONGER LK4 Pro® and Sethi S3®), using PLA and ABS filaments. The 3D impressions of the thigh and leg muscles obtained better visual quality, being able to readily identify the local musculature. The images of the face, heart, and head bones, although easily identifiable, although seemed to present lower quality aesthetic results. This pilot study may be one of the first to perform 3D impressions of images from CT to visualize the musculature in Brazil and may become an additional tool for teaching.

The sphenoidal emissary foramen and the emissary vein: Anatomy and clinical relevance.

Although the sphenoidal emissary foramen (SEF) and its content are anatomically and clinically relevant, accurate description of them in the modern literature is lacking. This study aimed to examine and describe the SEF and its content (the sphenoidal emissary vein [SEV]). We analyzed 1,000 computed tomography (CT) images, 170 dry skulls, 50 formalin-fixed specimens, and three specimens (heads) following guidelines proposed by Dr. Albert L. Rhoton Jr. MD for latex injection. SEV morphology was determined by histological staining and electron microscopy. The SEF was observed in 46.8% of the CTs studied (25.4% bilateral and 21.4% unilateral), and 45.2% of the dry skulls (18.8% bilateral and 26.4% unilateral). In 9.5% of CTs and 21.1% of dry skulls there was a blind channel in the external surface of the cranial base; since there was no communication with the cranial cavity, it was not considered as the SEF. During the dissections, the SEF was found in seven individuals. In three of them, the SEV was an alternative route for venous drainage of the venous plexus of the foramen ovale. Its walls were composed of collagen fibers and its endothelium contained rhomboid cells resembling those commonly found in the superior sagittal sinus. The presence of the SEF and SEV can anatomically explain the spread of certain cranial base pathologies from or toward Meckel's cave or the cavernous sinus, and should be taken into account during procedures in the middle cranial fossa, percutaneous approaches, odontological procedures, and treatment of dural arteriovenous fistulas. Clin. Anat., 33:767-781, 2020. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Topographic and microscopic anatomical description of the emissary sinus of foramen ovale in adult humans.

OBJECTIVE: Although the Emissary Sinus of Foramen Ovale (ESFO) was first described by Trolard in 1868, its definition remains confused and neglected in the medical literature. This structure represents a vein, two veins, a venous plexus, or a dural sinus? Does it really exist? To understand this topic, this work aimed to describe the anatomy, topography, and microscopic features of the ESFO, precisely characterizing its structure, routes and anatomical correlations. PATIENTS AND METHODS: ESFO from the skull's base of adults were dissected into fifty anatomical blocks and evaluated using Hematoxylin and Eosin, Picro-sirius red and Weigert staining, and by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). RESULTS: ESFO was always present between cavernous sinus and pterygoid plexus on both antimeres, its inferior route passing through the foramen ovale and/or sphenoidal emissary foramen (foramen of Vesalius), anterior to the mandibular branch of trigeminal nerve. Its microscopic arrangement resembled what was found on transverse sinus, that is composed by layers of collagen fibers oriented on transversal and longitudinal planes. It wasn't possible to identify the media and adventitial tunica, features seen in veins, and the elastic layer was very thin near its lumen. SEM analysis showed that, like the transverse sinus, the ESFO was composed by parallel cells that presented a rhombus shape containing central rounded nuclei. CONCLUSION: In summary, the venous channel passing through the foramen ovale and/or sphenoidal emissary foramen (foramen of Vesalius) is a dural venous sinus constituted by dura mater layers and should be considered during surgical approaches near the foramen ovale in the middle cranial fossa.

Topical Antinociceptive Effect of Vanillosmopsis arborea Baker on Acute Corneal Pain in Mice.

This study aimed to assess the possible topical antinociceptive activity of Vanillosmopsis arborea Baker essential oil (EOVA) and to clarify the underlying mechanism, using the acute model of chemical (eye wiping) nociception in mice. EOVA (25 to 200 mg/kg; p.o. and topical) evidenced significant antinociception against chemogenic pain in the test model of formalin-induced neuroinflammatory pain. Local application of 5 M NaCl solution on the corneal surface of the eye produced a significant nociceptive behavior, characterized by eye wiping. The number of eye wipes was counted during the first 30 s. EOVA (25, 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg; p.o. and topical) significantly decreased the number of eye wipes. Naloxone, yohimbine, L-NAME, theophylline, glibenclamide, and ruthenium red had no effect on the antinociceptive effect of EOVA. However, ondansetron, p-chlorophenylalanine methyl ester (PCPA), capsazepine, prazosin, and atropine prevented the antinociception induced by EOVA. These results indicate the topical antinociceptive effect of EOVA and showed that 5-HT, α 1, TRPV1, and central muscarinic receptors might be involved in the antinociceptive effect of EOVA in the acute corneal model of pain in mice.