Article
Utility of autopsy imaging for skull base dissection in a cadaver
Search Medline for
Authors
Published: | June 4, 2012 |
---|
Outline
Text
Objective: The Autopsy Imaging Center of the University of Fukui Hospital opened in November 2011. This is the first institution which includes a room for autopsy, a CT scanner and an MR imaging system for deceased patients alone in Japan. It is used not only for investigating causes of a patient’s death, but also for medical education. We will introduce the utility of this postmortem imaging system for skull base dissection in a cadaver.
Methods: Skull base approaches, such as transcondylar craniotomies, were performed on four sides of two cadaver heads. Both CT and MR images were made before dissecting the heads, and CT images were again made after the dissections. Whether or not the craniotomies were sufficient to approach the target regions was assessed from the images before and after dissections.
Results: Useful information about transcondylar craniotomies in cadavers could be obtained through autopsy images. This included the extent of condylectomy, the extent of drilling of the jugular tubercle, approach angle to the perimedullary space, etc.
Conclusions: The autopsy imaging system in our institution is thought to be useful for education, research, and invention of new surgical approaches for skull base surgeons. We will accumulate more data about transcondylar craniotomies and other skull base approaches in additional cadavers.