ISSN:
1432-2161
Keywords:
Key words Three dimensional imaging
;
Computed tomography (CT)
;
Image Processing
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract Both surface rendering and volume rendering have been extensively applied to CT data for 3-D visualization of skeletal pathology. This review illustrates potential limitations of each technique by directly comparing 3-D images of bone pathology created using volume rendering and surface rendering. Surface renderings show gross 3-D relationships most effectively, but suffer from more stairstep artifacts and fail to effectively display lesions hidden behind overlying bone or located beneath the bone cortex. Volume-rendering algorithms effectively show subcortical lesions, minimally displaced fractures, and hidden areas of interest with few artifacts. Volume algorithms show 3-D relationships with varying degrees of success depending on the degree of surface shading and opacity. While surface rendering creates more three-dimensionally realistic images of the bone surface, it may be of limited clinical utility due to numerous artifacts and the inability to show subcortical pathology. Volume rendering is a flexible 3-D technique that effectively displays a variety of skeletal pathology with few artifacts.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s002560050066
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