Appearance of bony lesions on 3-D CT reconstructions: a case study in variable renderings

Nicholas J. Mankovich; Stuart C. White

doi:10.1117/12.59522

1 May 1992 Appearance of bony lesions on 3-D CT reconstructions: a case study in variable renderings

Nicholas J. Mankovich, Stuart C. White

Proceedings Volume 1653, Medical Imaging VI: Image Capture, Formatting, and Display; (1992) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.59522
Event: Medical Imaging VI, 1992, Newport Beach, CA, United States

Abstract

This paper discusses conventional 3-D reconstruction for bone visualization and presents a case study to demonstrate the dangers of performing 3-D reconstructions without careful selection of the bone threshold. The visualization of midface bone lesions directly from axial CT images is difficult because of the complex anatomic relationships. Three-dimensional reconstructions made from the CT to provide graphic images showing lesions in relation to adjacent facial bones. Most commercially available 3-D image reconstruction requires that the radiologist or technologist identify a threshold image intensity value that can be used to distinguish bone from other tissues. Much has been made of the many disadvantages of this technique, but it continues as the predominant method in producing 3-D pictures for clinical use. This paper is intended to provide a clear demonstration for the physician of the caveats that should accompany 3-D reconstructions. We present a case of recurrent odontogenic keratocyst in the anterior maxilla where the 3-D reconstructions, made with different bone thresholds (windows), are compared to the resected specimen. A DMI 3200 computer was used to convert the scan data from a GE 9800 CT into a 3-D shaded surface image. Threshold values were assigned to (1) generate the most clinically pleasing image, (2) produce maximum theoretical fidelity (using the midpoint image intensity between average cortical bone and average soft tissue), and (3) cover stepped threshold intensities between these two methods. We compared the computer lesions with the resected specimen and noted measurement errors of up to 44 percent introduced by inappropriate bone threshold levels. We suggest clinically applicable standardization techniques in the 3-D reconstruction as well as cautionary language that should accompany the 3-D images.

Citation Download Citation

Nicholas J. Mankovich and Stuart C. White "Appearance of bony lesions on 3-D CT reconstructions: a case study in variable renderings", Proc. SPIE 1653, Medical Imaging VI: Image Capture, Formatting, and Display, (1 May 1992); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.59522

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