Academic Radiology
Volume 13, Issue 1 , Pages 104-112, January 2006

Computer-Based Anatomy:

A Prerequisite for Computer-Assisted Radiology and Surgery1

  • Andreas Pommert, PhD

      Affiliations

    • Institute of Medical Informatics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
    • Corresponding Author InformationAddress correspondence to: A.P. Institute of Medical Informatics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
    • ,
  • Karl Heinz Höhne, PhD

      Affiliations

    • Institute of Medical Informatics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
    • ,
  • Eike Burmester, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Sana Clinics, Lübeck, Germany
    • ,
  • Sebastian Gehrmann, MD

      Affiliations

    • Accident Surgery, Lukas Hospital, Bünde, Germany
    • ,
  • Rudolf Leuwer, MD

      Affiliations

    • ENT Clinic, Clinical Center Krefeld, Krefeld, Germany
    • ,
  • Andreas Petersik, MS

      Affiliations

    • Institute of Medical Informatics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
    • ,
  • Bernhard Pflesser, MS

      Affiliations

    • Institute of Medical Informatics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
    • ,
  • Ulf Tiede, PhD

      Affiliations

    • Institute of Medical Informatics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany

Received 31 July 2005; received in revised form 24 August 2005; accepted 26 August 2005.

Rationale and Objectives

The aim of the study is to show the possibilities opened up by three-dimensional (3D) computer-based models of the human body for education in anatomy, training of radiological and endoscopic examinations, and simulation of surgical procedures.

Materials and Methods

Based on 3D data sets obtained from the Visible Human and/or clinical cases, virtual body models are created that provide an integrated spatial and symbolic description of the anatomy by using interactive color/intensity–based segmentation, ray casting visualization with subvoxel resolution, a semantic network for knowledge modeling, and augmented QuickTime VR (Apple Computer, Inc, Cupertino, CA) movies for presentation.

Results

From these models, various radiological, endoscopic, or haptic manifestations of the body can be derived. This is shown with examples from anatomy teaching, correlation of x-ray images with 3D anatomy for education in radiology, gastrointestinal endoscopy, correlation of ultrasound images with 3D anatomy in endoscopic ultrasonography, and simulation of drilling in temporal bone surgery.

Conclusion

The presented models provide a means for realistic training in interpretation of radiological and endoscopic images of the human body. Furthermore, certain surgical procedures may be simulated realistically. Used as a complement to the current curriculum, these models have the potential to greatly decrease education times and costs.

Key Words:  Virtual body model , Visible Human , radiology teaching , endoscopy , ultrasonography , temporal bone surgery

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 The knowledge modeling and surgical simulator projects were supported by grants no. Ho-899/4-1 and Ho-899/5-1 from the German Research Council, respectively. Presented in part at the International Congress on Computer Assisted Radiology and Surgery, Chicago, IL, June 23-26, 2004.

PII: S1076-6332(05)00802-0

doi:10.1016/j.acra.2005.08.034

Academic Radiology
Volume 13, Issue 1 , Pages 104-112, January 2006

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