Visualization of the omental bursa and its spatial relationships to left subphrenic extraperitoneal spaces by the second Chinese Visible Human model.

Haotong Xu,Ke Xiang,Maihong He,Fuzhou Tian,Yi Wu

doi:10.1007/s00276-015-1462-3

Abstract

PurposeIn order to overcome the obstacle that detailed spatial relationships of the omental bursa to its related spaces cannot be displayed clearly by thick-slice sectional anatomical imaging and computed tomography, we designed a new approach to three-dimensional (3D) visualization of the omental bursa.MethodsBy Amira® software, we employed thin-slice cross-sectional images of the upper abdomen retrieved from second Chinese Visible Human datasets to display the spatial relationships of the omental bursa to its related spaces, especially to the left subphrenic extraperitoneal spaces. Moreover, these spatial relationships were presented on 3D sections reconstructed from second Chinese Visible Human images and computed tomography images.ResultsOf importance, the gastric bare area is located among the superior, inferior, and splenic recesses. The appearance of the foramen bursae omenti majoris is the only pathway communicating between the superior and inferior recesses of the omental bursa, and also is the anatomic landmark between the superior and inferior recesses. The splenic recess is surrounded from behind by the splenic bare area and the gastric bare area.ConclusionAs one of the subphrenic spaces, the omental bursa with its related spaces was imaged three-dimensionally using a visualization technique. Familiarity with the anatomic location and spatial relationships of the omental bursa to its related spaces may be beneficial for the differential diagnosis and intervention, improving outcome.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00276-015-1462-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Highlights

The omental bursa (OB) is a potential space in the subphrenic area, an irregular space surrounding the caudate lobe of the liver and distributing between the stomach and pancreas on computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance images (MRI)
We investigated the spatial relationships of each recess of the OB to its adjacent structures, especially to left subphrenic extraperitoneal spaces, in order to provide 3D models of each recess of the OB, the gastric bare area, and the splenic bare area based on the CVH2 datasets
Spatial relationships of the superior recess of the OB to its adjacent structures On consecutive cross-sections, the superior recess of the OB surrounds the left sides of the caudate lobe of the liver; namely the caudate lobe of the liver is the right border of the superior recess

Summary

Introduction

The omental bursa (OB) is a potential space in the subphrenic area, an irregular space surrounding the caudate lobe of the liver and distributing between the stomach and pancreas on computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance images (MRI). Dehydration and malformation of autopsy specimens exaggerates this collapse. Thin-slice cross-sections derived from the Chinese Visible Human Project are brightly colored, the images are clear, and histological structures are satisfactorily displayed [15, 16]. The cross-sections from these datasets, other random sections, and three-dimensional (3D) digital models allowed for visualization of complicated anatomic structures, such as ligaments and extravisceral spaces. This 3D visualization technique has been used to study organs and tissues, as well as in small animal studies [3, 10]. We used the visualization technique to study the anatomic features of the OB

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Discussion

Conclusion