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


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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Pommert
Andreas
A
Institute of Medical Informatics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany. pommert@uke-uni-hamburg.de
Höhne
Karl Heinz
KH
Burmester
Eike
E
Gehrmann
Sebastian
S
Leuwer
Rudolf
R
Petersik
Andreas
A
Pflesser
Bernhard
B
Tiede
Ulf
U
D000715:Anatomy / Q000193:education*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D011871:Radiology / Q000193:education*; D014584:User-Computer Interface