Semiautomated three-dimensional craniofacial imaging and modeling.
OBJECTIVE
The author identified clinical parameters and developed thresholding strategies that facilitate semiautomated three-dimensional craniofacial imaging and modeling.


METHODS
A polyvinylchloride phantom was imaged on a computed tomography (CT) scanner using multiple scan planes, surrounding media, and two-dimensional reconstruction filters. Three-dimensional reconstructions were performed by an experienced operator on a commercial workstation. A simple mathematical thresholding algorithm derived from these trials was applied to 17 embryologic craniofacial specimens and compared with operator-selected thresholds in the generation of three-dimensional CT images.


RESULTS
Utilization of the parameter alpha provides an experimental framework in which operator-selected thresholds can be used to refine simple mathematical thresholding formulae. We demonstrated significant changes in three-dimensional image accuracy based on CT scan plane.


CONCLUSIONS
Experimentation with a CT phantom enables semiautomated three-dimensional craniofacial imaging and modeling. Further investigation of two-dimensional CT craniofacial datasets is justified.
Levy
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Department of Radiology, University of Michigan Hospitals, Ann Arbor 48109.
D003198:Computer Simulation; D006257:Head / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008961:Models, Structural; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed