New technical developments in three-dimensional reconstruction of computed tomography

Recent improvements in medical imaging based on advanced computer technology have facilitated the study and treatment of head and neck disorders. Our approach to the preoperative assessment, operative management, and longitudinal follow-up of patients with complex craniofacial problems has been modified significantly as a result of these new technologies. Our experience with computed tomography was augmented by three-dimensional surface reconstruction methods and computer-aided design and manufacturing technology. The method for three-dimensional bone and soft tissue reconstructions, in our institution, are implemented as a series of computer programs that run on the HITACHI whole body CT scanner CT-W 600. The images for three-dimensional reconstruction produced by ''Mixture Shading'' and ''Retouch'' method which we developed. Preoperative anatomic definition and surgical planning can be made using three-dimensional image. Our work in three-dimensional surface CT reconstruction initially assisted the understanding of aberrant anatomy. This console is a three-dimensional display terminal that allows the real time rotation of a three-dimensional solid image in any of the x, y, and z axes. The surgeon is assisted by the availability of linear measurement and the ability to move image components. (author)