title: Improvements in education in pathology: virtual 3D specimens.
abstract: Virtual three-dimensional (3D) specimens correspond to 3D visualizations of real pathological specimens on a computer display. We describe a simple method for the digitalization of such specimens from high-quality digital images. The images were taken during a whole rotation of a specimen, and merged together into a JPEG2000 multi-document file. The files were made available in the internet (http://patho.med.uni-magdeburg.de/research.shtml) and obtained very positive ratings by medical students. Virtual 3D specimens expand the application of digital techniques in pathology, and will contribute significantly to the successful introduction of knowledge databases and electronic learning platforms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Otto-von-Guericke-University, Leipziger Str. 44, D-39120 Magdeburg, Germany. kalinski@med.ovgu.de
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kalinski
authors.forename: Ralf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Zwönitzer
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Jonczyk-Weber
authors.forename: Harald
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hofmann
authors.forename: Johannes
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bernarding
authors.forename: Albert
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Roessner
mesh_terms: D003196:Computer Graphics; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction; D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate / Q000379:methods*; D005404:Fixatives; D005557:Formaldehyde; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D020407:Internet; D007668:Kidney / Q000473:pathology; D010336:Pathology / Q000193:education*; D010781:Photography; D014021:Tissue Preservation / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D005404:Fixatives; D005557:Formaldehyde