Three-dimensional display by computer graphics method of hepatocellular carcinoma using seen with the hepatic arteriogram

The method of three-dimensional display of hepatocellular carcinoma using conventional hepatic arteriogram by computer graphics method was newly exploited and applied in clinical use. Three-dimensional models were reconstructed from contour lines of tumors demonstrated as hypervascular lesions by hepatic arteriography. Although objects were limited by angiographic images in which tumors need to be demonstrated as nodules with hypervascularity, this method of three-dimensional display was not worse on accuracy than that using computed tomographic images. According to this method property of the tumor expressed by vascularity was demonstrated clear and in addition volume of the tumor was calculated easily. When the tumor arose in necrotic changes in which demonstrated as a vascular lesion by hepatic arteriography with reduction of size in usual by conservative treatment such as transcathter arterial embolization therapy, this three-dimensional display was able to demonstrate such changes clear. This preliminary study demonstrates the feasibility and clinical usefulness of three-dimensional display of hepatocellular carcinoma using hepatic arteriogram by computer graphics method. (author)