Interactive Radiology Atlas

Abstract

We created a preliminary version of a web-based application that users can use to learn anatomy interactively through radiological studies. Our preliminary version includes a cross-sectional atlas of abdominal anatomy using CT imaging. Users can scroll through the images that comprise each CT study and click on any major visceral structure they wish to identify. That structure is then highlighted and labeled, and can be traced by the user as he or she scrolls through the images of each CT study. We believe users of our site will find our site, in contrast to a traditional atlas, a more enjoyable and effective way to learn how to identify structures on CT imaging and to grasp how anatomical structures fit into three dimensional space. We developed the application from the ground up and are currently working to add more content and improve it to make it easily extensible by lay users. The application has been tested on various browsers, including mobile browsers, and will be piloted with medical students studying radiology at BIDMC starting on 30 January 2017. We plan to continue to add content, including cross-sectional studies of thoracic anatomy, and adapt the website to feedback we receive from pilot users.