Use of photogrammetry-based digital models in anatomy education: An overview.

PURPOSE: Photogrammetry is a technique which includes taking multiple digital photographs from various angles and using those photographs to create three-dimensional virtual models. We aimed to review the outcomes of the implementation of photogrammetry in anatomy education. METHODS: We searched PubMed, Scopus and Cochrane library for studies with purpose to explore the outcomes of the use of photogrammetry-based digital models in anatomy teaching. From each included paper we extracted: authors, number of participants, anatomical region of interest, educational outcomes, and their level according to Kirkpatrick hierarchy. RESULTS: Seven studies were included. Four of them concerned neuroanatomy and three of them concerned other systems. All studies comprised participants' perceptions about the educational intervention, while two of them also evaluated anatomical knowledge acquisition. Overall, the participants rated photogrammetry-based models very highly and preferred them to other teaching tools. These models were also shown able to significantly enhance the anatomical knowledge. CONCLUSIONS: Photogrammetry-based digital objects seem to have a promising anatomy teaching potential. The value of these objects seems to be especially pertinent in teaching the relatively complex field of neuroanatomy. Further research may investigate the effectiveness of photogrammetry-based models in comparison with other anatomy education tools, and with other methods of creation of three-dimensional virtual objects.

How Exercise Can Influence Oxidative Stress and Glucose Levels after Pancreatic Resection: A Randomised Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: One of the most challenging operations is the resection of the pancreas, which is associated with high morbidity. Metabolic control during the perioperative period remains an issue that is sometimes difficult to manage. OBJECTIVES: Exercise has a positive effect on glycaemic control. The objective of this trial was determining whether exercise has any benefit for oxidative stress and glucose levels. METHOD: The study was an open-label, randomised clinical trial. It has been registered in the International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial registry. The patients were selected according to the Consolidated Standard of Reporting Trials criteria. RESULTS: In total, 56 patients were assessed for eligibility. There was no statistical difference between the 2 groups (the exercise and the control one) regarding the disease characteristics, morbidity or influence of exercise on oxidative stress; however, the control of glucose was superior in the exercise group. CONCLUSIONS: Exercise has a positive effect on glycaemic control in patients after pancreatic resection.

What is the history of the term "azygos vein" in the anatomical terminology?

The term "azygos vein" is in common use in modern anatomical and cardiovascular textbooks to describe the vein which ascends to the right side of the vertebral column in the region of the posterior mediastinum draining into the superior vena cava. "Azygos" in Greek means "without a pair", explaining the lack of a similar vein on the left side of the vertebral column in the region of the thorax. The term "azygos" vein was utilized firstly by Galen and then was regenerated during Sylvius' dissections and Vesalius' anatomical research, where it received its final concept as an official anatomical term. The purpose of this study is to highlight the origin of the term "azygos vein" to the best of our knowledge for the first time and its evolution from the era of Hippocrates to Realdo Colombo.

Trochlea Dysplasia as the Major Anatomic Risk Factors for Patellofemoral Joint Instability: An Infographic as a Visual Learning Tool.

Patellofemoral instability (PFI) is a common condition in children and adolescents, ranging from mild discomfort and mal-tracking to lateral patellar dislocation [1]. A number of anatomical risk factors have been described in the literature, such as trochlear dysplasia, patella alta, excessive tibial tuberosity to trochlear groove (TT-TG) distance, patellar tilt and soft tissue alterations [2]. Among them, TD has been identified as the main anatomical risk factor with the strongest association with PFI [1, 2]. In the study by Dejour et al. [2] radiographically observed TD was identified in 96% of patients with a history of patellofemoral dislocation [1, 2]. Patients with Dejour Type D dysplasia are characterized by a prominent and convex lateral facet with a vertical connection to a hypoplastic medial facet (Figure 1), which provides inadequate tracking of the patella in the trochlea during flexion leading to patella subluxation [2]. Non-operative treatment of lateral patellar dislocation presents a rate of re-dislocation up to 70% within 24 months of the first episode [3]. Sulcus deepening trochleoplasty is indicated for Type B and D dysplasia, in order to improve patella tracking, reduce the rate of re-dislocation and achieve good functional outcomes [2, 4]. Trochlea dysplasia is defined as a shallow or flattened groove with decreased resistance to lateral patellar translation. TD can be assessed on computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with the use of overlapping axial images and are able to show perfectly the global shape of the femoral trochlea [2]. The thresholds for identifying trochlear dysplasia are established based on the sulcus angle ≥ 145°, medial/lateral trochlea facet asymmetry < 40%, trochlear depth < 3 mm and lateral trochlear inclination ≤ 11° and therefore it can be used in young adolescents [4, 5]. A deep knowledge of anatomic variations and abnormalities of the patellofemoral joint, which may predispose to PFI, is crucial in order to choose the appropriate treatment for each patient.

Anatomic Risk Factors for Patellofemoral Joint Instability: An Infographic as a Visual Learning Tool.

Patellofemoral instability is a complex pathology with multiple risk factors, which affects mostly young females and may avert them from both activities of daily living and sports participation. Risk factors for instability include patella alta, trochlea dysplasia, abnormal lateral patellar tilt, and increased tibial tuberosity-trochlea groove distance. The knowledge of these anatomical abnormalities is the key to identifying the problem and succeeding in treating the patients.

Unilateral agenesis of the internal carotid artery presented as transient ischaemic attack: a case report.

Dysgenesis of the internal carotid artery (ICA) is a rare vascular disorder with a variety of different grades (agenesis, aplasia, and hypoplasia). The left internal carotid artery is reported to be affected by dysgenesis three times more often than the right one. Most of the patients with dysgenesis of the internal carotid artery are asymptomatic. We report a case of a patient with right internal carotid artery agenesis presented to our hospital as transient ischaemic attack. CT scans at skull base level with bone settings showed absence of the right carotid canal, consistent with congenital agenesis of the internal carotid artery. MR imaging of the brain revealed signal void of the intracranial portion of right internal carotid artery. Maximum intensity projection reconstruction confirmed the agenesis of the right ICA, with the right middle cerebral artery fed through a dilated posterior communicating artery and the right anterior cerebral artery supplied by the anterior communicating artery (fetal type of collateral flow). In patients with agenesis of the internal carotid artery non-invasive imaging techniques are currently the mainstay of diagnosis.

Combination of Adenomyoepithelioma and Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma of the Breast: A Case Report of an Uncommon Histopathological Entity.

BACKGROUND Adenomyoepithelioma and adenoid cystic carcinoma are uncommon types of breast tumors. Adenoid cystic carcinoma accounts for 0.1% of breast neoplasms and typically presents as a tender breast tumor, mostly in the subareolar area. Adenoid cystic carcinoma usually appears in women in the fifth or sixth decade of life and predominantly presents as a mixed tumor, with cribriform, tubular, and solid growth characteristics. Adenomyoepithelioma of the breast shows epithelial and smooth muscle characteristics. Adenomyoepithelioma rarely goes through malignant transformation and is an uncommon type of benign breast tumor. CASE REPORT Our study reviews the current published literature regarding the combination of these 2 rare neoplasms of the breast and shows a rare case of a 48-year-old woman with a combination of adenoid cystic carcinoma and adenomyoepithelioma. CONCLUSIONS The combination of adenoid cystic carcinoma and adenomyoepithelioma should be part of the differential diagnosis in breast cancer. More research is needed regarding the optimal therapy, which is currently surgical excision.

Duplication of the Artery to the Cystic Duct: A Case Report of a Rare Anatomical Variation with Surgical Significance.

Anatomical variations of the cystic artery are frequently documented, but variations of the artery to the cystic duct are extremely uncommon. We report a rare duplication of the artery to the cystic duct, revealed during laparoscopic cholecystectomy on an 18-year-old Caucasian female treated for gallstone disease. Both arterial branches were meticulously and carefully retracted and cauterized to avoid bleeding and subsequent postoperative complications. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of an artery to the cystic duct duplication. The presence of congenital variations of the artery to the cystic duct encumbers surgical maneuvers and increases the potentiality of intraoperative injury and hemorrhage.

Superior thyroid artery origin in Caucasian Greeks: A new classification proposal and review of the literature.

Studies on the origin of the superior thyroid artery, define that it could originate either from the external carotid artery, (at the level of common carotid bifurcation), or from the common carotid artery. However, there is a classical anatomic knowledge that the superior thyroid artery is a branch of the external carotid artery. Variability in the anatomy of the superior thyroid artery was studied on 100 carotids. Moreover, a review about the origin of superior thyroid artery between recent and previous cadaveric, autopsy, and angiographic studies, on adults and fetuses, was carried out. The superior thyroid artery originated from the external carotid artery in 39% and at the level of carotid bifurcation and common carotid artery in 61% of cases. The anterior branches of the external carotid artery were separate in 76% of cases, while common trunks between the arteries were found in 24% of the specimens. A new classification proposal on the origin of the superior thyroid artery is also suggested. In this study, the origin of superior thyroid artery is considered at the level of the carotid bifurcation and not from the external carotid artery as stated in many classical anatomy textbooks. This has a great impact on the terminology when referring to the anterior branches of the external carotid artery, which could be termed as anterior branches of the cervical carotid artery. Head and neck surgeons must be familiar with anatomical variations of the superior thyroid artery in order to achieve a better surgical outcome.

Incidence of Extrahepatic Portal Vein Anatomic Variations and Their Clinical Implications in Daily Practice.

Anatomical variations of the portal vein are relatively common and can affect the outcomes of hepatic resections, transplantations and interventional radiological procedures. The aim of this study was to review the literature regarding extrahepatic portal vein anomalies. Two main databases were searched for suitable articles, and results concerning more than 3,700 patients were included in the analysis. The most common anatomical variations of the portal vein were trifurcation and having a right posterior portal vein as the first branch of the main portal vein; these anomalies were found in 11.7% and 10.8% of cases, respectively.

A Review of the Use of Virtual Reality for Teaching Radiology in Conjunction With Anatomy.

Incorporation of radiology into anatomy education is a frequently used teaching strategy. Our purpose was to investigate to what extent virtual reality can play a significant role when radiology is taught in conjunction with anatomy. PubMed, SCOPUS, Education Resources Information Center, and Cochrane databases were searched for articles with the aim to evaluate the outcomes of incorporation of radiology in anatomy education, using virtual reality. From each included paper, the following data were extracted: authors, number of participants, type of study (comparative or not), level of outcome according to Kirkpatrick hierarchy, and outcomes of the use of virtual reality when radiology was incorporated in anatomy education. Seven papers were included. From them, three were comparative and evaluated students' academic performance after the educational intervention, while four were non-comparative and evaluated only students' opinions about the intervention. In all studies, the use of virtual reality for the incorporation of radiology into anatomy teaching was positively perceived. Also, the three studies which evaluated academic performance showed that virtual reality was effective in terms of enhancing anatomy knowledge. The implementation of virtual reality for the incorporation of radiology into anatomy education has been accompanied by positive outcomes. These outcomes may encourage educators to teach radiology in conjunction with anatomy using virtual reality.

Comparative Anatomical Study Between the Human and Swine Liver and Its Importance in Xenotransplantation.

The liver is a multifunctional organ; due to its functional and structural complexity, there are many factors that may lead it to function inadequately, a state called liver failure. Transplantation is the only appropriate therapy for patients in cases of liver failure. However, there are many limitations to this treatment, and the scientific community has considered methods based on pigs because of their unique structural and cellular compatibility with humans. In this review, we conducted an anatomic comparative study of the liver's parenchyma and vascular network between humans and pigs to extract useful information for xenotransplantation and autologous cell or organ generation in pigs. We reviewed articles from 2007 to 2019 and used the databases of Scopus, PubMed and Google Scholar. We concluded that, despite the difference concerning the shape of the human and pig livers, the number of segments and the bile and vascular system are similar, making the pig liver useful in experimental surgery for xenotransplantation.

The Anatomical Relationship of Inferior Thyroid Artery and Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve: A Review of the Literature and Its Clinical Importance.

BACKGROUND: Thyroidectomy is a quite common daily operation in general surgery. However, the anatomical structures of the region, mainly the relationship of recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) and inferior thyroid artery (ITA) makes the procedure challenging. The current review of the literature aims to report the anatomical variations of this relationship. METHODS: The preferred reporting items for systemic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were used for the systematic review of the articles found after an extensive research through PubMed, Science Direct, EMBASE and Web of Science. A total of 16 studies were included for the statistical analysis. RESULTS: The results showed that the most common type of RLN was posterior to the ITA. However, according to Higgins I2 statistics the heterogeneity of the studies was quite high. CONCLUSIONS: The relationship between the RLN and the ITA is quite variable. Anatomical knowledge of the region is vital for attempting to eliminate the risk of injuring the nerve during thyroidectomy.

Osteochondroma of the distal tibia in an 8-year-old child: Do we need to excise a benign tumor?

Osteochondromas are benign tumors that can be responsible for angular deformities, limb-length discrepancy, and impending fractures of the neighboring bones. The risk of future fractures and joint malalignment is an indication for surgical intervention.

Valentino's Syndrome (with Retroperitoneal Ulcer Perforation): A Rare Clinico-Anatomical Entity.

BACKGROUND In the emergency department pain in the right lower quadrant is a frequent finding and is related to a wide variety of diseases, the most common of which is acute appendicitis. An unusual presentation of pain in the right iliac fossa is due to perforation of a duodenal peptic ulcer. The fluid that originates from the perforated ulcer moves through the paracolic sulcus to the right iliac fossa and causes irritation of the peritoneum and even chemical peri-appendicitis, thereby imitating all the usual causes of pain in the right lower quadrant. This condition is known as Valentino's syndrome, named after the Italian actor Rudolph Valentino. CASE REPORT The aim of this case report was to review the current published literature regarding Valentino's syndrome and report on a case involving a 51-year-old male who was admitted to our surgical department with right lower quadrant pain and suspicion of acute appendicitis. An exploratory laparotomy was performed, from which a retroperitoneal perforation of a duodenal ulcer was found; suture closure was then applied. The patient's postoperative course was uncomplicated, and he was discharged 9 days after the operation. CONCLUSIONS Surgeons should be alert for this rare condition imitating acute appendicitis, and the differential diagnosis of right lower quadrant pain should include peptic ulcer perforation.

The Anatomical Characteristics of Corona Mortis: A Systematic Review of the Literature and Its Clinical Importance in Hernia Repair.

BACKGROUND: Inguinal hernia repair is one of the most common daily operations in general surgery. However, the anatomical structures of the region, such as the corona mortis (the crown of death), make this procedure quite challenging. A comprehensive knowledge of its anatomy is essential, since massive hemorrhage may occur if the vessel is injured. The current review of the literature aimed to report the frequency and anatomical variations of vascular corona mortis. METHODS: A substantial study was coordinated through PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar. The Prisma guidelines were used for the systematic review of the articles found. A total of 13 studies and 1,455 patients were included for the statistical analysis. RESULTS: The results showed that corona mortis was present in about half the hemi-pelvises, and to be more accurate, the prevalence was 46%. Venous corona mortis was more frequent than the arterial type (42% vs. 25%). CONCLUSIONS: Considering the percentages mentioned above, every surgeon who schedules an operation on the retro-pubic area, especially during a hernioplasty procedure, should evaluate the possibility of the presence of corona mortis. Anatomical knowledge of the region is vital for attempting to eliminate the risk of injuring the corona mortis during surgery.