24 research outputs found
Application of rapid prototyping techniques for modelling of anatomical structures in medical training and education
Rapid prototyping has become an innovative method of fast and cost-effective
production of three-dimensional models for manufacturing. Wide access to
advanced medical imaging methods allows application of this technique for
medical training purposes. This paper presents the feasibility of rapid prototyping
technologies: stereolithography, selective laser sintering, fused deposition
modelling, and three-dimensional printing for medical education. Rapid prototyping
techniques are a promising method for improvement of anatomical education
in medical students but also a valuable source of training tools for medical
specialists. (Folia Morphol 2011; 70, 1: 1-4
The body constitution of patients and intubation scales as predictors of difficult intubation considered in relation to the experience of the intubator
The aims of the study were to identify factors that may result in difficulties in
intubation, and to compare the results obtained when an experienced and
when a less experienced anaesthesiologist was involved. The 96 patients included
in the study were evaluated for difficult intubation according to the
following scales: Mallampati, upper lip bite test (ULBT) and Patil. The mobility
of the cervical segments of the vertebral column, the distance between the
jugular notch of the sternum and the chin and the anatomical constitution of
the body were other factors that were taken into consideration. Statistical analysis
was performed in order to identify factors that may result in difficulties in intubation
for an experienced and for a less experienced anaesthesiologist
Anatomical variations of the coeliac trunk in the homogeneous Polish population
Background: The abdominal vessels show a number of abnormalities and pathologies knowledge of which is important during open as well as laparoscopic surgeries. One of the most common vessels which pattern has many variations is the coeliac trunk. The present study was undertaken on homogeneous population to assess morphology of the coeliac trunk and to evaluate the possible variability of its branches. Materials and methods: Standard abdominal multidetector computed tomography examinations were performed on a total of 1569 patients diagnosed by 2 radiologists independently; in case of doubts common assessment was performed. Results: The coeliac trunk followed the classic pattern in 92.7% of the cases (1455/1569 of patients). The gastrosplenic trunk was detected in 4.1% of cases (64/1569); the hepatosplenic trunk in 2.2% of cases (34/1569); the coeliac-mesenteric trunk was observed in 0.5% of cases (8/1569); the hepatogastric trunk in 0.2% of cases (4/1569); the splenomesenteric trunk was detected in 0.1% of cases (2/1569). In the next 0.1% the coeliac trunk was absent. The hepatosplenomesenteric and the coeliac-colic trunk were not observed in the study population. Conclusions: Vascular anatomical abnormality is usually asymptomatic hovewer, its preoperative knowledge is helpful to reduce complications like vascular bleeding when dissecting the hapato-pancreatic region. The coeliac trunk and its branches can be fast and easy evaluated in computed tomography exams performed due to various symptoms from abdominal cavity
Simulation techniques in the anatomy curriculum: review of literature
Modern medical education faces a problem of combining the latest technology, procedures and information with classic teaching methods. Simulation is a technique, which replaces or amplifies doctorâpatient experiences in controlled conditions and therefore evokes or replicates substantial aspects of the real world in a fully interactive manner. The basic course of anatomy in medical education could be recognised as the best example of implementing new educational techniques such as simulation, into the traditional medical curriculum. The PubMed database was searched using specific key words. Finally 72 articles were accepted and were divided into 3 basic categories of teaching methods: Category 1 â cadaveric dissection, Category 2 â simulator based education and Category 3 â other. A state of the art anatomical curriculum offers numerous possibilities and solutions including the oldest like cadaveric dissection and newest like simulators. Different simulation techniques are used with different intensity; however cadaveric dissection is still the most popular method. The second most frequent method is simulation-based training, in which North America is the leading country. The identification of anatomical structures during virtual surgical procedures or laparoscopic robotic procedures can be integrated into the traditional anatomy course. New technologies are supportive and beneficial in anatomy teaching however each excitement of new technologies sometimes should be tempered and evaluated for its usefulness in making the learning process constructive for students and their future practice
Persistent trigeminal artery as a rare cause of ischaemic lesion and migraine-like headache
The persistent trigeminal artery (PTA) is a rare remnant of the embryonic intracranial circulatory system that forms a carotid-vertebrobasilar anastomosis. In most cases PTA does not have clear clinical implications. However, some authors report the association of PTA occurrence with vertigo, dizziness and nerve palsy, resulting in diplopia, strabismus or trigeminal neuralgia in patients. In rare cases it may also be related to posterior cerebral circulation strokes. This work reports the case of a female patient who presented with migraine-like headache and an ischaemic lesion in the left temporal lobe in association with PTA
What do clinicians think of the anatomical knowledge of medical students? Results of a survey
Human anatomy is one of basic courses in medical education. It usually takes place during the first year of the medical school syllabus. However, the results of the course, if defined as profound anatomical knowledge, are not applied by the students until several years after the final anatomy examination. The aim of the study was to evaluate the anatomical knowledge of senior medical students. For this reason a survey was distributed among teachers responsible for clinical rotas. The results of the study were intended to give the answer to the question, "What do students remember several years after the anatomy examination?" as expressed by their clinical teachers. The
questionnaire included four closed questions and one open question. The closed questions concerned general anatomical knowledge, whether the anatomy course should be extended and whether additional courses should be introduced and included a question about student knowledge of particular systems. The open question concerned ways of improving anatomical education.
As a result of the survey it was observed that surgical specialists had a significantly lower opinion of the medical knowledge of their students than had medical specialists. Most of the suggestions for improving anatomical education were related to introducing clinical applications of anatomical knowledge
Coronary artery fistulas morphology in coronary computed tomography angiography
Background: The aim of the study was to evaluate coronary artery fistulas (CAFs) in coronary computed tomography angiography (coronary CTA) and verify whether there is correlation between the fistulaâs morphology and other cardiac functional findings and clinical data.Materials and methods: A group of 14,308 patients who were diagnosed in coronary CTA was retrospectively analysed. Achieved data were related to referrals.Results: Coronary artery fistula frequency was 0.43% in the examined population. The assessment of coronary artery disease was the most frequent indication for the examination. In 2 out of 3 cases the diagnosis of CAFs was incidental. Fistulas to cardiac chambers were significantly shorter than those to other vascular structures (19.9 vs. 61.8 mm, respectively, p = 0.001). Pulmonary trunk was most often the drainage site. Fistulas with singular supply and drainage constituted the majority. The new morphologic classification of CAFs was introduced with linear, spiral, aneurysmal, grid-like and mixed types. Most numerous was the spiral type group. Patients with aneurysmal fistulas had a tendency for wider diameter of aorta and pulmonary trunk. Smallest left ventricle fraction was observed in gridlike fistulas (48.0%, comparing to 59.2% for all patients with fistulas, p = 0.001). Concomitant abnormalities were found in 13.1% of CAFs patients.Conclusions: Computed tomography angiography has proven to be a useful tool in CAFs detection and morphological assessment. Proposed classification may simplify the predictions whether fistula has a significant influence on cardiac function; however, further studies are needed
The course of the cystic artery during laparoscopic cholecystectomy
Proper recognition of the particular structures that form the triangle of Calot is
essential for the proper and safe performance of laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
Proper recognition, ligation, and cut of the cystic duct and cystic artery
with branches (dorsal and ventral) remain an integral condition for the removal
of the gallbladder. Calot’s triangle, as an orientation structure, determines the
most common location of the cystic artery. The triangle of Calot is one of the
most variable regions of the abdomen in terms of anatomy. The aim of this
study was to evaluate how important for surgery is the detailed anatomical
recognition of the main branches of the cystic artery in Calot’s triangle during
laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
Relations of the main branches of the cystic artery were evaluated in 88 patients
that underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy at the Department of General
Surgery of the District Specialistic Hospital of Lublin. The anatomical relations
of cystic duct and artery were classified into typical and variant types.
Significantly more frequently variants of cystic artery were observed in women.
However, the time of the procedure was not significantly related with the type
of cystic artery
Volumetric reconstruction of the right ventricle improves reproducibility of interventricular septum bowing in patients with pulmonary embolism
Bowing of the interventricular septum (IVS) is a sign of severe pulmonary embolism(PE); however, it is affected by high interobserver variability. The aim of thestudy was to evaluate the application of volumetric reconstructions of the rightventricle for assessment of IVS position regarding its accuracy in identifying rightventricular dysfunction, as well as interobserver agreement in evaluating this sign.IVS bowing was evaluated with multiplanar reformations (MPR) and volumetricreconstruction (VR, volume rendering) by 2 observers. The accuracy of IVS bowingsign was better for VR-based assessment; however, it was not significantlybetter than the MPR-based evaluation. Interobserver agreement was found tobe fair (kappa = 0.381) for the MPR-based grading of IVS position as normal orabnormal, while it was significantly better for the VR method (kappa = 0.629,p < 0.001). The VR-based method may improve utilisation of IVS bowing sign inpatients with PE