Construction of a three-dimensional model of central skull base based on thin head-specimen sections

Objective To create a three dimensional model of central skull base for doctors to master the regional anatomy.Methods Continuous thin sections on coronary plane were performed with freezing milling technique on an head specimen.After segmenting,labeling and extracting in a seraial sections,we finished the three dimensional reconstruction of the central skull base.Results Three hundred and ninty thin (0.1 mm) coronary sections were obtained.Based on 390 thin coronary sections,the three dimensional reconstruction of the central skull base was finished.The model could be rotated 360 degrees in any plane; it can be reduced or enlarged using the zoom function.Conclusion The three dimensional model of the central skull base can display the anatomical characters,which is useful for surgeons to understand the anatomy of the sellar region and is a base for approach choosing and a pool for operative simulation. Key words: Central skull base;  Sectional anatomy;  Three dimensional reconstruction; Freezing milling technique