Medial axis reformation: a new visualization method for vascular volume data

Objective: To demonstrate visualization of three-dimensional(3-D) vascular data in CT angiography using a new method (medial axis reformation). Methods: A software dedicated to medial axis reformation had been developed. Medial axis reformation was modified curved planar reformation, which accurately extracted tree-like medial axis of vessels before producing curved section , and therefore the false-positive results due to manually drawn curve had been avoided. The curved section then spread to obtain the reformed image. Volume data of coronary arteries from electron-beam CT was used to test authors' new visualization design. Results: Medial axis reformation showed the vessel diameter objectively, because it always cut through the axis of the vessel. It could display the whole vessel trees, thus overcame the limitation of 'once a vessel' with curved multiplanar reformation. The viewing direction could be altered arbitrarily. The length of vessel and the voxel values of original data could be measured accurately. Conclusion: The new visualization design of medial axis reformation is valuable for processing 3-D vascular image in CT angiography