Reconstruction of fetal and infant anatomy using r

Authors: Silvia Schievano Neil J Sebire Nicola J Robertson Andrew M Taylor Sudhin Thayyil

Publish Date: 2010/06/19

Volume: 1, Issue: 4, Pages: 281-286

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Abstract

The recent decline in autopsy rates and lack of human anatomical material donated for research and training has resulted in issues for medical training in the United Kingdom This study aims to examine the feasibility of making accurate threedimensional 3D models of the human body and visceral organs using postmortem magnetic resonance MR imaging and rapid prototypingAccurate 3D modelling of anatomical features from postmortem imaging in fetuses and infants is feasible These models could have a large number of medical applications including improved parental counselling invaluable teaching resources and significant medicolegal applications to demonstrate disease or injury without the need to show actual autopsy photographsLearning anatomy and pathology from the dissection of human bodies and examination of internal organs has traditionally played an important role in the training of doctors particularly surgeons and pathologists hence the human body is often referred to as the best medical textbook However organ retention issues and the subsequent introduction of the Human Tissue Act have led to a substantial decline in autopsy rates and therefore opportunities for research and training in the past decade in the United Kingdom 1 2 Consented autopsies in children have become virtually nonexistent Even when autopsies are performed parents usually request that all internal organs be returned to the body for burial 1 The Royal Colleges and the Department of Health have recently warned that shortage of donor bodies is putting medical teaching in the United Kingdom at risk 3In order to ensure that the important information provided by postmortem assessment is not lost there has been increasing interest from the medical profession policy makers and the public to develop less invasive methods such as magnetic resonance MR imaging and minimally invasive biopsies to provide alternatives to conventional autopsy Importantly such approaches may be more acceptable to parents as they do not involve open dissection of the body 4 5 6 7 Large prospective studies are now ongoing in the United Kingdom comparing the accuracy of such approaches to conventional autopsy As part of one such study we have been acquiring threedimensional 3D MR data sets 7 8 that can be reconstructed in 3D Furthermore we have used a technique known as rapid prototyping 3D printing to build real 3D models of the right side of the heart and pulmonary trunk 9 10 and have demonstrated that these models can improve clinical decisionmaking when treating patients In the current study we examine the feasibility and potential applicability of combining 3D postmortem MR data from fetuses and infants with rapid prototyping to create models of postmortem features with the aim of improving understanding and teaching of pathological conditions In addition such models could be clinically useful and highly acceptable for explaining postmortem findings to parents and demonstrating pathological findings in the medicolegal setting

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