Background/objective: Three-dimensional images have become an important tool in understanding surgical anatomy. This paper describes a simple method for obtaining endoscopic 3-dimensional anatomic images for teaching purposes.
Methods: This method uses a single endoscope that provides regular, two-dimensional images. Obtaining the three-dimensional image requires the superposition of two similar but slightly different images of the same object. The set of images, one mimicking the view of the left eye and the other mimicking the view of the right eye, constitute the stereoscopic pair of images obtained with the endoscope. To construct 3-dimensional images, the distance between the pictures must approximate the interpupillary distance.
Results: The technique involves fixing the endoscope in position using a self-retracting arm and placing the specimen on a simple sliding tray with an adapted millimeter scale to control the distance between the pictures. The initial still image is captured and the tray on which the specimen sits is shifted up to 3-4 mm laterally to capture the second image. As a general rule, one can calculate the distance between the pictures by moving the specimen laterally 1/30 of the distance between the lens and the object. Images captured are processed using anaglyphic technique for printing and horizontal-vertical polarization of light for presentation to larger audiences.
Conclusions: Images produced in this way may aid in the understanding of the depth of different structures and ease of learning curve for the use of the endoscopy in neurosurgery.
Keywords: 3-Dimensional imaging; Anatomy; Brain; Endoscopy; Lateral ventricles; Sella turcica; Skull base.
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