Hybrid rendering of the chest and virtual bronchoscopy [corrected].
Thin-section spiral computed tomography was used to acquire the volume data sets of the thorax. The tracheobronchial system and pathological changes of the chest were visualized using a color-coded surface rendering method. The structures of interest were then superimposed on a volume rendering of the other thoracic structures, thus producing a hybrid rendering. The hybrid rendering technique exploit the advantages of both rendering methods and enable virtual bronchoscopic examinations using different representation models. Virtual bronchoscopic examinations with a transparent color-coded shaded-surface model enables the simultaneous visualization of both the airways and the adjacent structures behind of the tracheobronchial wall and therefore, offers a practical alternative to fiberoptic bronchoscopy. Hybrid rendering and virtual endoscopy obviate the need for time consuming detailed analysis and presentation of axial source images.
Seemann
M D
MD
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Eberhard-Karls University, Hoppe-Seyler-Strasse 3, D-72076 Tuebingen, Germany. marcus.seemann@med.uni-tuebingen.de
Seemann
O
O
Luboldt
W
W
Gebicke
K
K
Prime
G
G
Claussen
C D
CD
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001980:Bronchi; D001984:Bronchial Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D001999:Bronchoscopy / Q000639:trends*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013909:Thorax; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D014132:Trachea; D014584:User-Computer Interface