An improved computer method to prepare 3D magnetic resonance images of thoracic structures

The mediastinal and cardiovascular anatomy is complex. We have developed a three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction system for the major mediastinal structures using magnetic resonance imaging data on a NeXT workstation. The program uses a combination of automatic and manual procedures to determine the contours of the cardiac structures. The geometric centers of the contours are connected by a 3D space curve, and the central axis of each cardiac structures is determined. The contours are projected on the perpendicular plane to the central axis and semiautomatically processed until the contours of one pixel are obtained. Then the surface rendering with transparency is performed. Compositing combines two images so that both appear in the composite, superimposed on each other. Demonstration of the various mediastinal lines and cardiovascular diseases by the composits of the partly transparent 3D images has promoted a better understanding of the complex mediastinal and cardiovascular anatomy and diseases.     

Evaluation of congenital heart disease by three-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging

This study was undertaken to compare electrocardiographically gated magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to established imaging modalities in the detection of complex intra- and extracardiac morphologic defects. Twenty-three patients with congenital cardiac abnormalities were imaged by four methods: cardiac catheterization, echocardiography, two-dimensional (2D) transaxial MRI, and three-dimensional (3D) MRI surface reconstruction. Observers with experience in congenital cardiac disease diagnosis (two for echo, one for catheterization, two for 2D MR, and three for 3D MR) evaluated the images in a blinded fashion, and the results were analyzed with receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Overall, cardiac catheterization had the best diagnostic performance. The diagnostic value of routine 2D cardiac MR images and 3D MR reconstruction images were similar to that of echocardiography. All of the modalities performed poorly in the diagnosis of extracardiac defects and atrial septal defects.     

Graphic and movie illustrations of human prenatal development and their application to embryological education based on the human embryo specimens in the Kyoto collection.

Morphogenesis in the developing embryo takes place in three dimensions, and in addition, the dimension of time is another important factor in development. Therefore, the presentation of sequential morphological changes occurring in the embryo (4D visualization) is essential for understanding the complex morphogenetic events and the underlying mechanisms. Until recently, 3D visualization of embryonic structures was possible only by reconstruction from serial histological sections, which was tedious and time-consuming. During the past two decades, 3D imaging techniques have made significant advances thanks to the progress in imaging and computer technologies, computer graphics, and other related techniques. Such novel tools have enabled precise visualization of the 3D topology of embryonic structures and to demonstrate spatiotemporal 4D sequences of organogenesis. Here, we describe a project in which staged human embryos are imaged by the magnetic resonance (MR) microscope, and 3D images of embryos and their organs at each developmental stage were reconstructed based on the MR data, with the aid of computer graphics techniques. On the basis of the 3D models of staged human embryos, we constructed a data set of 3D images of human embryos and made movies to illustrate the sequential process of human morphogenesis. Furthermore, a computer-based self-learning program of human embryology is being developed for educational purposes, using the photographs, histological sections, MR images, and 3D models of staged human embryos.     

Left ventricular motion reconstruction with a prolate spheroidal B-spline model

Tagged cardiac magnetic resonance (MR) imaging can non-invasively image deformation of the left ventricular (LV) wall. Three-dimensional (3D) analysis of tag data requires fitting a deformation model to tag lines in the image data. In this paper, we present a 3D myocardial displacement and strain reconstruction method based on a B-spline deformation model defined in prolate spheroidal coordinates, which more closely matches the shape of the LV wall than existing Cartesian or cylindrical coordinate models. The prolate spheroidal B-spline (PSB) deformation model also enforces smoothness across and can compute strain at the apex. The PSB reconstruction algorithm was evaluated on a previously published data set to allow head-to-head comparison of the PSB model with existing LV deformation reconstruction methods. We conclude that the PSB method can accurately reconstruct deformation and strain in the LV wall from tagged MR images and has several advantages relative to existing techniques.     

Comparative study of thin sectional anatomical images from Chinese Visible Human data set and computed tomography images of superior mediastinum

The structures of superior mediastinum and their spatial relationships are complex and difficult to master. This study aimed to compare visualization of the superior mediastinum based on computed tomography (CT) images and on the thin sections of the Chinese visible human (CVH) data set to provide a sectional anatomical basis for diagnostic imaging of superior mediastinal pathology. CVH sections of the mediastinum of a 35‐year old male were compared with plain and enhanced CT images of a 45‐year old male without apparent abnormalities in the upper chest. In addition, a three‐dimensional model based on the CVH sections was compared with a model based on CT images. Although CT imaging is noninvasive and can be carried out in many individuals, its weakness is clearly the visualization of small soft tissue structures. In this respect, the sectional anatomical approach of the CVH images is complementary, as it visualizes these small soft tissue structures due to the higher resolution in the plain of sectioning and the color of the different structures in the section. Three‐dimensional surface and volume rendering of reconstructions of the CVH data set can help medical students and less experienced thoracic surgeons to familiarize themselves with the topographic anatomy of the superior mediastinal structures and their spatial relationships, and thus with interpreting CT images of patients. Clin. Anat. 25:1051–1061, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Sub-Nyquist acquisition and constrained reconstruction in time resolved angiography

In 1980 DSA provided a real time series of digitally processed angiographic images that facilitated and reduced the risk of angiographic procedures. This technique has become an enabling technology for interventional radiology. Initially it was hoped that intravenous DSA could eliminate the need for arterial injections. However the 2D nature of the images resulted in overlap of vessels and repeat injections were often required. Ultimately the use of smaller arterial catheters and reduced iodine injections resulted in significant reduction in complications. During the next two decades time resolved MR DSA angiographic methods were developed that produced time series of 3D images. These 4D displays were initially limited by tradeoffs in temporal and spatial resolution when acquisitions obeying the Nyquist criteria were employed. Then substantial progress was made in the implementation of undersampled non-Cartesian acquisitions such as VIPR and constrained reconstruction methods such as HYPR, which removed this tradeoff and restored SNR usually lost by accelerated techniques. Recently, undersampled acquisition and constrained reconstruction have been applied to generate time series of 3D x-ray DSA volumes reconstructed using rotational C-arm acquisition completing a 30 year evolution from DSA to 4D DSA. These 4D DSA volumes provide a flexible series of roadmaps for interventional procedures and solve the problem of vessel overlap for intravenous angiography. Full time-dependent behavior can be visualized in three dimensions. When a biplane system is used, 4D fluoroscopy is also possible, enabling the interventionalist to track devices in vascular structures from any angle without moving the C-arm gantrys. Constrained reconstruction methods have proved useful in a broad range of medical imaging applications, where substantial acquisition accelerations and dose reductions have been reported.     

A three-dimensional weighted cone beam filtered backprojection (CB-FBP) algorithm for image reconstruction in volumetric CT under a circular source trajectory

The original FDK algorithm proposed for cone beam (CB) image reconstruction under a circular source trajectory has been extensively employed in medical and industrial imaging applications. With increasing cone angle, CB artefacts in images reconstructed by the original FDK algorithm deteriorate, since the circular trajectory does not satisfy the so-called data sufficiency condition (DSC). A few 'circular plus' trajectories have been proposed in the past to help the original FDK algorithm to reduce CB artefacts by meeting the DSC. However, the circular trajectory has distinct advantages over other scanning trajectories in practical CT imaging, such as head imaging, breast imaging, cardiac, vascular and perfusion applications. In addition to looking into the DSC, another insight into the CB artefacts existing in the original FDK algorithm is the inconsistency between conjugate rays that are 180 degrees apart in view angle (namely conjugate ray inconsistency). The conjugate ray inconsistency is pixel dependent, varying dramatically over pixels within the image plane to be reconstructed. However, the original FDK algorithm treats all conjugate rays equally, resulting in CB artefacts that can be avoided if appropriate weighting strategies are exercised. Along with an experimental evaluation and verification, a three-dimensional (3D) weighted axial cone beam filtered backprojection (CB-FBP) algorithm is proposed in this paper for image reconstruction in volumetric CT under a circular source trajectory. Without extra trajectories supplemental to the circular trajectory, the proposed algorithm applies 3D weighting on projection data before 3D backprojection to reduce conjugate ray inconsistency by suppressing the contribution from one of the conjugate rays with a larger cone angle. Furthermore, the 3D weighting is dependent on the distance between the reconstruction plane and the central plane determined by the circular trajectory. The proposed 3D weighted axial CB-FBP algorithm can be implemented in either the native CB geometry or the so-called cone-parallel geometry. By taking the cone-parallel geometry as an example, the experimental evaluation shows that, up to a moderate cone angle corresponding to a detector dimension of 64 x 0.625 mm, the CB artefacts can be substantially suppressed by the proposed algorithm, while advantages of the original FDK algorithm, such as the filtered backprojection algorithm structure, 1D ramp filtering and data manipulation efficiency, are maintained.     

螺旋CT三维重建颌骨内埋伏牙位置形态及与周围组织的关系

背景：埋伏牙会造成恒牙的异位,咬牙合 紊乱并影响美观和咀嚼功能。而清晰的影像评价是正确诊断的重要组成部分。 目的：应用螺旋CT三维重建技术对颌骨内埋伏牙进行术前定位评估。 方法：23例埋伏牙患者使用传统平片和螺旋CT进行术前检查。螺旋CT横断面扫描后应用表面阴影遮盖技术和多平面重建技术对埋伏牙进行三维重建。分别通过传统平片和螺旋CT三维重建图像对埋伏牙进行术前评估。所有埋伏牙最终经外科拔除证实,分别计算平片和螺旋CT诊断的准确性。 结果与结论：螺旋CT三维重建能够清楚呈现埋伏牙的位置,形状及其与邻近组织结构的关系。传统平片和螺旋CT对埋伏牙位置评估的准确性分别是37.0%和100%,对牙根弯曲诊断的准确性为44.4%和88.9%。结果表明,螺旋CT三维重建技术能够清楚显示颌骨内埋伏牙的位置,形态及与周围组织结构的关系,从而有利于制定个性化,恰当的口腔治疗方案。     

Toward a highly‐detailed 3D pelvic model: Approaching an ultra‐specific level for surgical simulation and anatomical education

The surgical anatomy of the pelvis is highly complex. Anorectal and urogenital dysfunctions occur frequently after pelvic oncological surgery and are mainly caused by surgical damage of the autonomic nerves. A highly‐detailed 3D pelvic model could increase the anatomical knowledge and form a solid basis for a surgical simulation system. Currently, pelvic surgeons still rely on the preoperative interpretation of 2D diagnostic images. With a 3D simulation system, pelvic surgeons could simulate and train different scenes to enhance their preoperative knowledge and improve surgical outcome. To substantially enrich pelvic surgery and anatomical education, such a system must provide insight into the relation between the autonomic network, the lymphatic system, and endopelvic fasciae. Besides CT and MR images, Visible Human Datasets (VHDs) are widely used for 3D modeling, due to the high degree of anatomical detail represented in the cryosectional images. However, key surgical structures cannot be fully identified using VHDs and radiologic imaging techniques alone. Several unsolved anatomical problems must be elucidated as well. Therefore, adequate analysis on a microscopic level is inevitable. The development of a comprehensive anatomical atlas of the pelvis is no straightforward task. Such an endeavor involves several anatomical and technical challenges. This article surveys all existing 3D pelvic models, focusing on the level of anatomical detail. The use of VHDs in the 3D reconstruction of a highly‐detailed pelvic model and the accompanying anatomical challenges will be discussed Clin. Anat., 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Magnetic resonance tomography (MRT) in cardiovascular and lung diagnosis

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a completely noninvasive technique for the evaluation of the cardiovascular system. With a multi-section-technique and the spin echo pulse sequence the entire heart can be examined within 10 minutes. All cardiac MR studies were performed with electrocardiographic (ECG) gating to obtain adequate resolution of the cardiac structures. With this technique patients with congenital and acquired heart diseases, with thoracic aortic aneurysms, with mediastinal and pulmonary mass lesions, with central pulmonary embolism and with pulmonary arterial hypertension were studied. MRI offers an enormous potential for cardiovascular diagnosis, even beyond the demonstration of pathoanatomy, because of the capability for direct tissue characterization and blood flow measurements.     

64层CT造影断层图像虚拟技术和CT仿真结肠镜的临床应用

背景：虚拟内窥镜能够充分显示结肠的解剖形态以及病变部位,并从狭窄、梗阻处两端观察肠腔的解剖和病变。结合三维图像还可了解肠壁以及腔外的情况,更有利于肿瘤的定性以及分期诊断。 目的：探讨64层CT造影断层图像虚拟技术和64层螺旋CT三维成像与仿真内镜在结肠肿瘤诊断中的应用价值。 方法：应用Philips/Brilliance 64 CT对10例术后病理标本证实的结肠癌(8例)和结肠息肉(2例)进行容积扫描。Mimics软件用Marching Cubes算法对肠管进行面绘制及用虚拟内镜法重建三维图像及基于CT造影二维图像对大肠及周围结构等各种组织进行三维重建,并与Brilliance workspace工作站三维成像和仿真内镜结果相比较。 结果与结论：10例三维成像效果良好,虚拟内镜与CT仿真内镜显示基本一致。虚拟结肠镜结合多结构数字模型重建可以提供更多信息,有助于病变的准确定位,能准确反映其复杂的解剖结构及空间毗邻关系。说明64层CT造影断层图像虚拟技术能达到与CT仿真内镜结合三维成像同样的敏感性和特异性,加上各种组织三维重建技术可以提供较仿真内镜更丰富的信息。     

Three-dimensional image analysis of trauma-induced degenerative changes: an aid to neuropsychological assessment.

A single case study is presented that depicts three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of the day of injury computerized tomogram (CT) findings with the degenerative changes identified by magnetic resonance imaging (MR) 18 months postinjury. The method allows the clinician to examine 3D changes in the ventricular system as an aid in identifying regions of structural damage in one view rather than the need to view multiple images with the traditional two-dimensional (2D) presentation of CT or MR images. In this case study the neuropsychological deficits implicated generalized cerebrocortical dysfunction and the 3D image analysis correspondingly indicated generalized parenchymal tissue loss. This type of methodology is discussed in terms of furthering the neuropsychological-neuroimaging interface.     

3D anatomo-radiological basis of endoscopic surgery of the paranasal sinuses

Minimal invasive endoscopic operations in the paranasal sinuses rely on the detailed knowledge of the individual anatomy, in particular the relationship of the sinus system to neighbouring delicate and vulnerable anatomical structures. Digital CT and MR images are used for 3D reconstruction of the operating field, providing the basis for most 3D navigation systems, guiding the surgeon in close vicinity to delicate structures and so minimising the risk of iatrogenic trauma. We report the application of the ISG Viewing Wand, a computer-assisted navigation system, in endoscopic endonasal surgery related to the anatomy of the paranasal sinuses.     

国人肺静脉系统的三维可视化

目的 对中国数字化可视人体(CVH)男1号肺静脉系统进行三维重建,研究肺静脉系统的解剖特点,为教学、影像诊断及胸部手术提供精确的肺静脉系统三维模型.方法 对中国数字化可视人体数据集连续断面图像进行连续追踪观察和图像配准,在包含肺的断面上分割肺静脉,对分割结果运用3DMed软件通过阈值分割算法进行三维重建.结果 本研究完整地重建出肺静脉系统,重建图像质量较高,可单独显示肺静脉系统三维模型,也可同时显示肺和肺静脉以及肺内其他管道系统三维模型,以显示肺内各结构的空间位置和毗邻关系,以上结构都可从任意角度进行观察并进行缩放.结论 本研究分析了肺静脉系统的组成及其在肺内的空间分布情况,实现了肺静脉系统的三维可视化.     

Visualization of human prenatal development by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

It is essential to visualize the structures of embryos and their internal organs three-dimensionally to analyze morphogenesis; this used to rely solely on serial histological sectioning and solid reconstruction, which were tedious and time-consuming. We have applied imaging with a magnetic resonance (MR) microscope equipped with a 2.35 T superconducting magnet to visualize human embryos; we were successful in acquiring high-resolution sectional images and in identifying the detailed structures of major organs. The imaging process was facilitated by using a super-parallel MR microscope. A dataset of MR images of more than 1,000 human embryos, now collected, will be important for future biomedical research and for education.     

A computationally efficient OMP-based compressed sensing reconstruction for dynamic MRI

Compressed sensing (CS) methods in MRI are computationally intensive. Thus, designing novel CS algorithms that can perform faster reconstructions is crucial for everyday applications. We propose a computationally efficient orthogonal matching pursuit (OMP)-based reconstruction, specifically suited to cardiac MR data. According to the energy distribution of a y-f space obtained from a sliding window reconstruction, we label the y-f space as static or dynamic. For static y-f space images, a computationally efficient masked OMP reconstruction is performed, whereas for dynamic y-f space images, standard OMP reconstruction is used. The proposed method was tested on a dynamic numerical phantom and two cardiac MR datasets. Depending on the field of view composition of the imaging data, compared to the standard OMP method, reconstruction speedup factors ranging from 1.5 to 2.5 are achieved.     

High resolution imaging of the mouse inner ear by microtomography: a new tool in inner ear research

A newly developed desktop microtomograph was used to evaluate whether it is suitable for visualizing the three-dimensional (3D) morphology of the mouse inner ear (at a micrometer level) and whether it is applicable as a fast screening tool to detect hereditary abnormalities in this organ. To this end, the epistatic circler, a mutant mouse showing abnormal circling behaviour, was used as a model. The inner ears were dissected out, formaldehyde-fixed, and scanned at maximal resolution along the longitudinal axis. After segmentation, stacks of tomographic images were used for 3D reconstruction of the bony labyrinth. Finally, the obtained data were correlated with subsequent conventional histological examination. The spatial resolution (8 microm) achieved by this instrument, was found to be far superior to that obtained by conventional computer tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR)-imaging equipment. The technique provides detailed tomographic images of the bony labyrinths and enables an adequate 3D reconstruction of the inner ear structures in this small mammal. In addition, it allows a screening for pathologic specimens prior to the more time- and labour-consuming histological techniques, which are still essential to gather information at a (sub)cellular level. This imaging technique can be regarded as a valuable tool in future research on hereditary inner ear abnormalities.     

The Right Mediastinal Border and Central Venous Anatomy on Frontal Chest Radiograph—Direct CT Correlation

We describe a direct and accurate method for defining chest radiographic anatomy and use this method to delineate the anatomic composition of the right mediastinal border in an adult population. Intravenous contrast-enhanced computed tomographic scans of the chest and accompanying scout tomograms from 99 adults without previously known or detected cardiopulmonary disease that could potentially distort mediastinal, cardiac, or pulmonary anatomy were retrospectively evaluated. Transverse CT images through the mediastinum were directly referenced to the respective acquisition location on the scout tomogram via the acquisition reference line. The anatomic composition of the right mediastinal border on the scout tomogram was determined by drawing a vertical line tangential to the most lateral right mediastinal structure in each transverse CT image. The lengths and relationships of these structures were tabulated. These results will help to create a consensus among radiologists and other clinicians regarding radiographic anatomy, allowing improved localization of mediastinal pathology and enabling more optimal positioning of vascular and cardiac support devices.     

Three-dimensional ultrasound imaging

Ultrasound is an inexpensive and widely used imaging modality for the diagnosis and staging of a number of diseases. In the past two decades, it has benefited from major advances in technology and has become an indispensable imaging modality, due to its flexibility and non-invasive character. In the last decade, research investigators and commercial companies have further advanced ultrasound imaging with the development of 3D ultrasound. This new imaging approach is rapidly achieving widespread use with numerous applications. The major reason for the increase in the use of 3D ultrasound is related to the limitations of 2D viewing of 3D anatomy, using conventional ultrasound. This occurs because: (a) Conventional ultrasound images are 2D, yet the anatomy is 3D, hence the diagnostician must integrate multiple images in his mind. This practice is inefficient, and may lead to variability and incorrect diagnoses. (b) The 2D ultrasound image represents a thin plane at some arbitrary angle in the body. It is difficult to localize the image plane and reproduce it at a later time for follow-up studies. In this review article we describe how 3D ultrasound imaging overcomes these limitations. Specifically, we describe the developments of a number of 3D ultrasound imaging systems using mechanical, free-hand and 2D array scanning techniques. Reconstruction and viewing methods of the 3D images are described with specific examples. Since 3D ultrasound is used to quantify the volume of organs and pathology, the sources of errors in the reconstruction techniques as well as formulae relating design specification to geometric errors are provided. Finally, methods to measure organ volume from the 3D ultrasound images and sources of errors are described.     

Computer aided three-dimensional reconstruction and modeling of the pelvis, by using plastinated cross sections, as a powerful tool for morphological investigations

Purpose

The aim of this study was to describe a method of developing a computerized model of the human female pelvis using plastinated slices. Computerized reconstruction of anatomical structures is becoming very useful for developing anatomical teaching, research modules and animations. Although databases consisting of serial sections derived from frozen cadaver material exist, plastination represents an alternative method for developing anatomical data useful for computerized reconstruction.

Methods

A slice anatomy study, using plastinated transparent pelvis cross sections, was performed to obtain a 3D reconstruction. One female human pelvis used for this study, first plastinated as a block, then sliced into thin slices and in the end subjected to 3D computerized reconstruction using WinSURF modeling system (SURFdriver Software). To facilitate the understanding of the complex pelvic floor anatomy on sectional images obtained through MR imaging, and to make the representation more vivid, a female pelvis computer-aided 3D model was created.

Results

Qualitative observations revealed that the morphological features of the model were consistent with those displayed by typical cadaveric specimens. The quality of the reconstructed images appeared distinct, especially the spatial positions and complicated relationships of contiguous structures of the female pelvis. All reconstructed structures can be displayed in groups or as a whole and interactively rotated in 3D space.

Conclusions

The utilization of plastinates for generating tissue sections is useful for 3D computerized modeling. The 3D model of the female pelvis presented in this paper provides a stereoscopic view to study the adjacent relationship and arrangement of respective pelvis sections. A better understanding of the pelvic floor anatomy is relevant to gynaecologists, radiologists, surgeons, urologists, physical therapists and all professionals who take care of women with pelvic floor dysfunction.