Description
Clinical History
A 66-year-old woman suffered sudden onset of severe colicky central abdominal pain, somewhat relieved by drawing up her knees. She passed a stool containing mucus and blood ("like redcurrant jelly"). On examination, there was a mass in the left hypochondrium, which hardened with each spasm of pain. The specimen was resected at laparotomy.
Pathology
The specimen is a segment of small bowel, approximately 20 cm in length, with attached mesentery up to 2 cm in width (more evident on the uncut aspect of the specimen). About 5 cm from the proximal surgical resection margin (which is at the left hand of the specimen), a polypoid tumor 3 cm in diameter has become invaginated into the lumen of the bowel, and has been propelled distally, forming an intussusception 13 cm in length. The tumor is seen at the apex of the intussusception (near the right hand side of the specimen). The congestion and exudate seen on the mucosal surface of the intussusception (invaginated portion) are features considered with early ischemic necrosis. The histological diagnosis is not recorded in this case; however, the macroscopic appearance is consistent with a metastatic malignant tumor, although the possibility of a primary tumor cannot definitely be excluded.
Further Information
Intussusception of the small bowel is most common in children, in whom it is usually due to invagination of swollen lymphoid tissue (Peyer's patches) in the wall of the distal ileum. In adults, it is rare, causing only between 1 - 5 percent of cases of bowel obstruction. The usual cause a polypoid tumor, as seen in this specimen, acting as a pathological lead point being pulled forward by peristalsis, and thereby causing telescoping of the affected portion of bowel distally. Presentation may be of intermittent symptoms of bowel obstruction and in some cases excruciating pain. Classification of intussusception can be by causal pathology or by location. Abdominal CT scan will typically demonstrate a typical target sign with alternating hyper/hypodense layers.
Advantages
- Anatomically accurate and identical to real specimen
- No ethical issues - not real human body parts
- Reasonably priced
- Available within a short lead time
- Reproducible, several identical prints can be used as a classroom set
- Can be produced in different sizes to cater for the needs of the teacher
Human Cadavers
- Access to cadavers can be problematic. Many countries cannot access cadavers for cultural and religious reasons
- Cadavers cost a lot money
- High cost for establishing your own plastination suite
- Wet specimens cannot be used in uncertified labs
- Dissection of cadavers is a lot of staff time and that is a cost
- Storage of cadaver material needs special refrigeration etc. which has coast
- If you want another specimen you have to start all over again
Plastinates
- Costs
- Ethical issues
- Timeframe for plastination process
- Many countries do not allow their importation
- One of a kind
Superior 3D print results compared with conventional methods
- Vibrant color offering with 10 million colors
- UV-curable inkjet printing
- High quality 3D printing that can create products that are delicate, extremely precise and incredibly realistic
Clear Support Material
- To avoid breakage of fragile, thin, and delicate arteries, veins or vessels, a clear support material is printed on such spots. This makes the models robust and can be handled by students easily.
