Three-dimensional imaging of craniomaxillofacial structures with a standard personal computer.
OBJECTIVE
To implement 3D-reconstruction of CT and MR data by a standard MS-DOS personal computer.


METHODS
User-specific software has been developed for the 3D-reconstruction and quantitative evaluation of hard and soft tissues of the skull.


RESULTS
The software displays a 3D-reconstruction and secondary reformatted vertical sections within 4-30 s on the monitor. The 3D-structures can be evaluated quantitatively with a freely-superimposable grid. Distances or angles between two landmarks can be measured directly. Various tools for the simulation of surgical treatment are available.


CONCLUSIONS
Gross skeletal and soft-tissue malformations, topographical relations and the degree of asymmetry of severe maxillofacial deformities can be evaluated in more detail. Access to a readily available low-cost computer system for 3D-evaluation of the head will enable a larger number of clinicians to use 3D-methods in diagnosis and treatment planning. The off-line computing system permits a higher of flexibility independent of any computing centre.
Fuhrmann
R A
RA
Department of Orthodontics, University of Aachen, Germany.
Schnappauf
A
A
Diedrich
P R
PR
D019412:Anatomy, Cross-Sectional; D002508:Cephalometry / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008838:Microcomputers; D012886:Skull / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed