Three-Dimensional Image and Virtual Dissection Program of the Lung Made of Korean Cadaver

Abstract

Knowledge of three-dimensional (3D) structure of the lung is very important for diagnosis and treatment of lung diseases. Two-dimensional (2D) tools (e.g. anatomy books) or traditional 3D tools (e.g. plastic models) are not sufficient for understanding 3D structure of the lung. The lung of a cadaver may not always be available for dissection, when it is needed. To overcome this problem, virtual dissection programs of the lung have been made. However, most programs include either 2D images that do not permit free sectioning and free rotating, or radiographs that do not reveal true color and have limited resolution. Moreover, it is necessary to make a virtual dissection program of each race and ethnic group. Thus, we attempted to make 3D image and virtual dissection program of the lung using a Korean cadaver in order to help medical students and doctors better understand 3D structure of the bronchi and pulmonary vessels. Both right and left lungs extracted from a 60-year old Korean male cadaver were embedded with gelatin solution, and were serially-sectioned with 1.5 mm-thickness using a meat slicer. Sectioned specimens from each lung were inputted into the computer using a scanner (300 x 400 resolution, true color). 2D images of the lungs were aligned on the alignment program which was composed using IDL language. The lung components, such as the bronchi and pulmonary vessels were manually segmented in 2D images on the CorelDRAW program. 3D images of the lung were reconstructed through the volume-based rendering of 2D images. With 3D images as the main features, the virtual dissection program of the lung was composed using IDL language. Various virtual dissection functions, such as sectioning 3D image of the lung at free angles to show its plane, identifying the bronchi and pulmonary vessels represented in the sectioned plane, and rotating 3D image of the whole lung or 3D image of the selected bronchi and pulmonary vessels at free angles, were established. This virtual dissection program of the lung was helpful in better understanding 3D location and shape of the bronchi and pulmonary vessels; it is expected to be used through Internet or CD-title as an educational tool for medical students and doctors.