Three-dimensional computed tomographic volume rendering imaging as a teaching tool in veterinary radiology instruction

The educational value of three-dimensional computed tomography (3D CT) volume rendering imaging was compared to conventional plain radiographic instruction in a veterinary radiology class. Veterinary radiology is an important subject in veterinary medicine and has been well-recognized as a primary diagnostic method. Many junior and senior students have difficulty interpreting two dimensional radiographs that depict three-dimensional organs. A total of 158 junior veterinary students with knowledge of anatomy, pathology, physiology, and other basic subjects were divided into two groups; Group 1 (n = 45) received conventional radiographic instruction using normal and representative abnormal canine thoracic and abdominal radiographs followed by repetition of the same one week later, while Group 2 (n = 113) received plain radiograph instruction as in Group 1 followed by volume-rendered 3D CT images from the same canine patient one week later. The evaluations were performed at the end of each instruction. In Group 1, the majority did not understand the radiographic signs and no significant improvement was observed. In Group 2, 13% and 20% of the students learned only from radiographs, and understood the thoracic and abdominal radiographic alterations, respectively. After studying the 3D CT images, more than 94% of the students deduced the reasons for the radiographic alterations on the radiographs (P < 0.001). These results strongly suggest that 3D CT imaging is an effective tool for teaching radiographic anatomy to veterinary medical students