title: Microcomputer-based technique for 3-D reconstruction and volume measurement of computer tomographic images. Part 1: Phantom studies.
abstract: This paper presents a microcomputer-based technique that accurately quantifies volumes from computed tomographic (CT) scans of irregularly shaped objects as well as displaying 3-D reconstructions. The method uses standard CT film, allowing analysis of previous or outside CT studies. The planimetry method showed less than 5% error in measuring irregular 2-D areas larger than 6 mm2. The method is demonstrated to be significantly more accurate than spherical, ellipsoid, or rectangular geometric models in quantifying object volume by CT (P less than .001). With a single gantry angle, planimetry showed a two standard deviation error under 10% in measuring the volume of irregular objects compared with an error over 30% for ellipsoid models. The inaccuracy of the spherical model (80% error) and the rectangular prism model (192% error) renders them impractical to provide quantitative object volume. Microcomputer planimetry provides an accurate and versatile means to measure the volume and produce 3-D reconstructions of objects scanned with CT, and it has potential application in quantifying tumor response with CT and magnetic resonance imaging.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine (Neurology) Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27710.
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Albright
authors.forename: E K
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Fram
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D008838:Microcomputers; D008961:Models, Structural; D013679:Technology, Radiologic; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*