Description
Clinical History
A 70-year old man was admitted for investigation of muscular weakness and the passage of large amounts of mucus per rectum. The patient was found to be hypokalemic. A tumor of sigmoid colon was discovered and later resected.
Pathology
A 15 cm long segment of colon has been opened longitudinally to display a large sessile tumor with a velvety surface. The tumor measures 11 x 7 cm. in diameter and approaches to within 2 cm of the distal resection margin. The mucosa is otherwise normal. The serosal surface is unremarkable. Histological examination confirmed the presence of a villous adenoma.
Further Information
Villous adenomas occasionally secrete large amounts of mucoid protein and/or potassium rich fluid, sufficient to result in hypoalbuminemia or hypokalemia. Villous adenoma is the least common but most ominous type of adenomatous polyp. Invasive carcinoma is present in up to 30% of cases at the time of resection.
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.
