Computer-based anatomy a prerequisite for computer-assisted radiology and surgery

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.

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.

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.

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.