How to make a three-dimensional surgical illustration of cerebral vessels with a personal computer: technical note.
OBJECTIVE
To introduce a method of making three-dimensional (3-D) illustrations of cerebral vessels with a personal computer.


METHODS
We generated the 3-D images from only two views of conventional angiograms (anteroposterior and lateral views) with a personal computer, two commercial software programs, and an image scanner.


RESULTS
This method was applied to 10 consecutive cases of cerebral aneurysms. 3-D images were made in a few hours, and they contributed to assessing vascular structures of an aneurysm complex.


CONCLUSIONS
This method is useful for discussing surgical strategies preoperatively. Our method may be used in any facility where conventional angiography, personal computers, and 3-D software are available.
Kakizawa
Y
Y
Department of Neurosurgery, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan.
Hongo
K
K
Tanaka
Y
Y
Okudera
H
H
Koyama
T
T
Kobayashi
S
S
D002533:Cerebral Angiography; D002536:Cerebral Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D002550:Cerebral Veins / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D003196:Computer Graphics; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D002532:Intracranial Aneurysm / Q000175:diagnosis; D008838:Microcomputers