Plastinated Ethmoidal Region: II. The Preparation and Use of Radio-opaque Artery Casts in Clinical Teaching

In endoscopic sinus surgery, knowledge of the course of the internal ethmoidal and orbital arteries is crucial. The maxillary and the internal carotid arteries of cadavers were injected with radio-opaque, red colored silicone. The ethmoidal regions were prepared and plastinated using the standard S10 technique. On some specimens, the ophthalmic and ethmoidal arteries were dissected prior to plastination. The plastinated specimens of the ethmoidal blocks were successfully introduced into clinical teaching of sinus anatomy and surgery as an aid to study vascularization and its relationship to surgical procedures. Among the advantages of this method are the long- lasting preservation of dissected tissue, visualization of arteries during endoscopic and radiological examinations, and invaluable teaching and training resources for endoscopic sinus surgery.