Effectiveness of using cross-sections in the recognition of anatomical structures in radiological images

This study measured the effect of using anatomical cross-sections to enhance the interpretation of radiological images. It examined the effectiveness of using magnetic resonance (MR or MRI) images presented side-by-side with their corresponding cross-sectional images, as compared to using only the MR images. Student aptitude to identify anatomical structures in the radiological images was measured. The study also assessed student preferences toward the two presentation formats. Thirty-four freshmen medical students (17 females and 17 males) and a female graduate student enrolled in a clinical anatomy, embryology, and imaging course volunteered to participate in the study. A posttest-only control group design was used and the collected data were analyzed by a t-test. A survey was developed to collect student perceptions of the two presentation formats. There was no significant difference between using MR images with cross-section images and using MR images alone in the students' immediate recall of anatomical information presented in radiological images. However, the students showed strong preferences for the presentation of MR images with cross-section images and indicated that it would help them interpret radiological information.