138 - Visualization and 3D Measurement of the Heart for Anatomy Education

Poster Board Number: 138
There are separate poster presentation times for odd and even posters.
Odd poster #s – first hour
Even poster #s – second hour

Co-authors:

Gongchao Yang - Professor, Advanced Biomedical Education, University of Mississippi Medical Center; Nathan Tullos - Associate Professor, Advanced Biomedical Education, University of Mississippi Medical Center; Norma Ojeda - Professor, Advanced Biomedical Education, University of Mississippi Medical Center

Abstract Body : Introduction: The visualization of three-dimensional models has been widely used in many professional schools. In recent years, it has been shown to be particularly useful and popular for anatomy education. The virtual presentation of the 3D model reveals anatomical structures in different orientations and enhances the flexible viewing of the structures. In this project, we used the 3D heart model and measured the heart using 2D and 3D measurements to determine the length and angle. This project aims to compare the measurements of lengths and angles from 3D and 2D views of anatomical models. Methods and materials: Amira software and computed tomographic angiography (CTA) were used to create the 3D model of the heart and aorta. These models were developed using the surface segmentation method and the heart model was measured using a 2D length, 3D length, 2D angle and 3D angle measurement tools. Results: In the measurement of the length of the heart, we measured three vertical or oblique levels of 2D, 3D lengths, and 2D, 3D angles. The length of the left ventricle in 2D was 71.8% larger than the length of all three vertical or oblique levels in 3D. Compared to the three vertical or oblique levels, the right ventricle had a 2D length that was 67.5% longer. The left atrium's 2D length was 63.3% larger than the 3D lengths in all 3 vertical levels. The measurement of the 2D angle of the left and right ventricles was similar to the 3D angle in level 1, but was larger in levels 2 and 3, by about 6.1%. The 2D angle of the right atrium was similar to a 3D angle at all three levels. Conclusion: The 2D length measurement is larger than the 3D length measurement at all three oblique or vertical levels for the left and right ventricles and left atrium. The 2D angle measurement was similar to the 3D angle measurement for the right atrium. For the left and right ventricles, level 1 was similar, while levels 2 and 3 were larger in the 2D angle measurement when compared to the 3D angle measurement. The 2D measurement is limited to measuring the surface length and angle of structures on a flat screen. The actual length and angle of the structures can be measured in three dimensions with the 3D measurement, and the measurement numbers are stable and can be rotated with the structures. Significance: 3D stereoscopic models can be displayed in 3D virtual views via the 3D projection system, which allows users to rotate, zoom in and out. When a 3D model moves, the 3D measurements follow the model as it moves, but for 2D measurements, they do not move with the model. If the orientation or position of the 3D model changes, the 2D length will also change. Therefore, 3D measurement is more precise and stable, which is better for clinical applications and education due to their fidelity displaying lengths and angles, and lower index of distortion compared to 2D measurement.