Anatomic Dissection and Classic Three-dimensional Documentation: A Unit of Education for Neurosurgical Anatomy Revisited

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE: Despite development of computer-assisted neurosurgical navigation, learning by dissecting anatomic specimens is still important. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: We describe the processes from preparation of specimens for cranial dissection to documentation of three-dimensional (3-D) stereoscopic pictures, particularly focusing on the latter, which has been initiated in the Microneuroanatomy Laboratory, Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Florida. INTERVENTION: Preparation consists of irrigation of the major vessels and injection of colored silicone. The 3-D documentation, obtaining two pictures corresponding to each eye's view, is obtained by the shoot-shift-shoot method using a single camera mounted on a slide bar. The key of this method is correct shifting of the camera without alignment error to get exact 3-D effects. Observation of 3-D image can be made with free viewing, a 3-D viewer, or projection. Tips concerning all of the processes involved are described. CONCLUSION: The presented method of dissection and obtaining 3-D images is beneficial for accomplishing studies of anatomy and for providing teaching method.