Injuries to the Craniocervical Junction: A 3D Approach to Resident Education for Radiological Imaging

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Radiology
• Anatomy

Background:

• Craniocervical junction (CCJ) injuries are difficult to diagnose via imaging, leading to potential misdiagnosis and adverse outcomes.
• A lack of accessible learning resources hinders resident training in identifying CCJ injuries.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop novel visual training materials for CCJ injuries.
• To compare the effectiveness of still images versus animated multimedia for learning CCJ injuries.
• To assess trainee engagement with different visual learning formats.

Main Methods:

• Created 3D-model-based still images and animations of CCJ injuries, linking them to CT/MR imaging.
• Administered a survey to medical students and trainees diagnosing CCJ injuries.
• Randomized participants into groups viewing either still images or still images plus animation, followed by pre-tests, modules, and post-tests.

Main Results:

• Significant learning improvement (p = 0.000064) was observed in both still image and combined groups.
• Animation did not significantly impact learning (p = 0.52) or engagement (p = 0.18).
• A majority preferred combined visuals (66.07% for retention, 69.64% for engagement).

Conclusions:

• Combined still images and animation can enhance trainee engagement and conceptual understanding of CCJ injuries.
• Visual learning tools are crucial for improving the diagnosis of challenging CCJ injuries.