Department of Otolaryngology, Institute for AudioNeurotechnology (VIANNA), Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany.
Int J Comput Assist Radiol Surg. 2013 Jul;8(4):481-509. doi: 10.1007/s11548-013-0825-7. Epub 2013 Apr 30.
This paper presents a highly accurate cross-sectional preparation technique. The research aim was to develop an adequate imaging modality for both soft and bony tissue structures featuring high contrast and high resolution. Therefore, the advancement of an already existing micro-grinding procedure was pursued. The central objectives were to preserve spatial relations and to ensure the accurate three-dimensional reconstruction of histological sections.
Twelve human temporal bone specimens including middle and inner ear structures were utilized. They were embedded in epoxy resin, then dissected by serial grinding and finally digitalized. The actual abrasion of each grinding slice was measured using a tactile length gauge with an accuracy of one micrometre. The cross-sectional images were aligned with the aid of artificial markers and by applying a feature-based, custom-made auto-registration algorithm. To determine the accuracy of the overall reconstruction procedure, a well-known reference object was used for comparison. To ensure the compatibility of the histological data with conventional clinical image data, the image stacks were finally converted into the DICOM standard.
The image fusion of data from temporal bone specimens' and from non-destructive flat-panel-based volume computed tomography confirmed the spatial accuracy achieved by the procedure, as did the evaluation using the reference object.
This systematic and easy-to-follow preparation technique enables the three-dimensional (3D) histological reconstruction of complex soft and bony tissue structures. It facilitates the creation of detailed and spatially correct 3D anatomical models. Such models are of great benefit for image-based segmentation and planning in the field of computer-assisted surgery as well as in finite element analysis. In the context of human inner ear surgery, three-dimensional histology will improve the experimental evaluation and determination of intra-cochlear trauma after the insertion of an electrode array of a cochlear implant system.
本文提出了一种高度精确的横断制备技术。研究目的是开发一种适用于具有高对比度和高分辨率的软、硬组织结构的成像方式。因此，追求了一种已经存在的微磨程序的改进。主要目标是保留空间关系，并确保对组织学切片进行准确的三维重建。
使用了 12 个人类颞骨标本，包括中耳和内耳结构。它们被嵌入环氧树脂中，然后通过连续研磨进行解剖，最后进行数字化。使用具有 1 微米精度的触觉长度规测量每个研磨切片的实际磨损量。通过使用人工标记和应用基于特征的定制自动配准算法，将横截面图像对齐。为了确定整个重建过程的准确性，使用了一个已知的参考对象进行比较。为了确保组织学数据与常规临床图像数据的兼容性，最后将图像堆栈转换为 DICOM 标准。
颞骨标本和无损平板式容积计算机断层扫描数据的图像融合证实了该程序达到的空间精度，使用参考对象的评估也是如此。
这种系统且易于遵循的制备技术能够实现复杂的软、硬组织结构的三维（3D）组织学重建。它有助于创建详细且空间正确的 3D 解剖模型。在计算机辅助手术领域以及有限元分析中，这些模型对于基于图像的分割和规划非常有益。在人类内耳手术中，三维组织学将改善在插入人工耳蜗系统的电极阵列后对耳蜗内创伤的实验评估和确定。
