Perspective volume rendering of CT and MR images: Applications for endoscopic imaging

Geoffrey D. Rubin, Christopher F. Beaulieu, Vincent Argiro, Helmut Ringl, Alexander M. Norbash, John F. Feller, Michael D. Dake, R. Brooke Jeffrey, Sandy Napel

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

420 Scopus citations

Abstract

PURPOSE: To use perspective volume rendering (PVR) of computed tomographic (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging data sets to simulate endoscopic views of human organ systems. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Perspective views of helical CT and MR images were reconstructed from the data, and tissues were classified by assigning color and opacity based on their CT attenuation or MR signal intensity. 'Flight paths' were constructed through anatomic regions by defining key views along a spline path. Twelve movies of the thoracic aorta (n = 3), tracheobronchial tree (n = 4), colon (n = 3), paranasal sinuses (n = 1), and shoulder joint (n = 1) were generated to display images along the flight path. All abnormal results were confirmed at surgery. RESULTS: PVR fly-through enabled evaluation of the full range of tissue densities, signal intensities, and their three-dimensional spatial relationships. CONCLUSION: PVR is a novel way to present volumetric data and may enable noninvasive diagnostic endoscopy and provide an alternate method to analyze volumetric imaging data for primary diagnosis.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)321-330
Number of pages10
JournalRadiology
Volume199
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - May 1996

Keywords

  • Computed tomography
  • Computer, diagnostic aid
  • Images, enhancement
  • Images, processing
  • Magnetic resonance (MR), image processing
  • Video display
  • image display and recording

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging

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