Vol 60, No 4 (2001)
Technical Note
Submitted: 2012-02-06
Published online: 2001-08-10
Virtual modelling of the surgical anatomy of the petrous bone
Piotr Zieliński, Paweł Słoniewski
Folia Morphol 2001;60(4):343-346.
Vol 60, No 4 (2001)
Technical Note
Submitted: 2012-02-06
Published online: 2001-08-10
Abstract
The surgical anatomy of the petrous bone is difficult to learn and to imagine due to the porous structure. Obviously the surgeon’s training is based on cadaver dissections as we are still lacking good, versatile models of the temporal bone and its important structures. The clearly visible, rapid development of computer science provides us with new possibilities that should be immediately engaged in modelling and simulating the human anatomy.
The virtual, three-dimensional computer model of the bony pyramid was created based on the tomographic x-ray 1 mm slices and evaluated in accordance to its usefulness in learning and planning the neurosurgical approaches to the petrous region. The model was created in the virtual reality markup language, in order to make it available through the Internet. The basic anatomy of the main surgical approaches used in this region was visualised and evaluated in accordance with the real, intraoperative anatomy.
The model could be easily accessed through the Internet. It was user-friendly and intuitive. The model seemed to be helpful in planning the basic approaches to the petroclival region.
Computer science, with the help of the virtual modelling techniques, gives us
a powerful method of learning and training surgical anatomy and approaches, although cadaveric dissection still remains the main point of the surgeon’s training.
Abstract
The surgical anatomy of the petrous bone is difficult to learn and to imagine due to the porous structure. Obviously the surgeon’s training is based on cadaver dissections as we are still lacking good, versatile models of the temporal bone and its important structures. The clearly visible, rapid development of computer science provides us with new possibilities that should be immediately engaged in modelling and simulating the human anatomy.
The virtual, three-dimensional computer model of the bony pyramid was created based on the tomographic x-ray 1 mm slices and evaluated in accordance to its usefulness in learning and planning the neurosurgical approaches to the petrous region. The model was created in the virtual reality markup language, in order to make it available through the Internet. The basic anatomy of the main surgical approaches used in this region was visualised and evaluated in accordance with the real, intraoperative anatomy.
The model could be easily accessed through the Internet. It was user-friendly and intuitive. The model seemed to be helpful in planning the basic approaches to the petroclival region.
Computer science, with the help of the virtual modelling techniques, gives us
a powerful method of learning and training surgical anatomy and approaches, although cadaveric dissection still remains the main point of the surgeon’s training.
Keywords
temporal bone; virtual reality; petrosectomy
Title
Virtual modelling of the surgical anatomy of the petrous bone
Journal
Folia Morphologica
Issue
Vol 60, No 4 (2001)
Pages
343-346
Published online
2001-08-10
Page views
586
Article views/downloads
1320
Bibliographic record
Folia Morphol 2001;60(4):343-346.
Keywords
temporal bone
virtual reality
petrosectomy
Authors
Piotr Zieliński
Paweł Słoniewski
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