A computer-assisted three-dimensional image of thoracic aortic aneurysm from surgeon's view

In addition to conventional angiograms, computerized tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), three dimensional views of vascular morphology are desirable for planning surgery and assessing vessel pathology. Previously, the shape of large blood vessels was constructed in the three dimensions from traced contours on a sequence of MR images. Therefore, the efficacy of computer-assisted 3D images of aortic aneurysms was studied to establish the accurate anatomic architecture of aorta useful to vascular surgeons. The conclusion is that high quality computer-assisted 3D images could provide accurate anatomical data, not available from standard CT, MRI or other procedures, and aid in the pre-operative planning of the procedures to improve the surgical result. (author). 5 refs.; 2 figs