Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a primary liver tumor in dogs, typically occurring around nine years of age and accounting for over 50% of hepatic tumors.
Veterinary oncologists must have a deep understanding of hepatic anatomy to assess liver tumor resectability, acquired through various educational resources. Successful liver cancer treatment, including surgery, relies on precise knowledge of the liver’s multi-lobular structure and its vascular complexity. This includes understanding the hepatic artery, vein, and the portal vein tributaries’ branching patterns, which can vary between patients. Surgeons need to determine blood supply routes, assess tumor heterogeneity, and understand the local environment before surgery.
Current computed tomography (CT) technology has limitations in anatomical perception, hindering surgical planning for liver tumor surgery. In veterinary oncology, unlike human medicine, 3D technology is still emerging. This research explores the feasibility of creating 3D models of canine liver anatomy from CT datasets, including HCC cases, and integrating them with digital sculpting and game engine software to build interactive user interfaces.
The resulting application enables veterinary surgeons and students to visualize the normal liver and liver with HCC in 3D. Users can also simulate the placement, size, and severity of HCC tumors within the liver, aiding communication with dog owners.
The evaluation process received highly positive feedback, highlighting the value of interacting with 3D models for context, visual accuracy, perceptual learning, and improving client-vet communication.