[Rapid interactive 3-D imaging of the temporal bone with "direct volume rendering"].
BACKGROUND
For the first time, the relatively new method of interactive direct volume rendering (dVR) allows for a fast and direct three-dimensional visualization of spiral CT data without any manual, explicit segmentation. This study was performed to prove whether dVR is capable of providing a meaningful three-dimensional visualization of the structures within the temporal bone.


METHODS
In ten patients a three-dimensional visualization of the structures of the inner and middle ear was performed from spiral CT data on a commercially available graphics workstation.


RESULTS
The cochlea and semicircular canals were visualized in good quality in all patients. The ossicles and bony facial canal were visualized in good or fair quality in most cases. The time needed for the visualization of the data and all target structures was less than 15 min in all cases.


CONCLUSIONS
Three-dimensional visualization of the structures within the temporal bone from high-resolution spiral CT data using dVR is easily performed in a very short time on standard graphics workstations. This allows integrating three-dimensional visualizations into routine clinical work.
Tomandl
B F
BF
Abteilung für Neuroradiologie, Neurochirurgischen Klinik, Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Schwabachanlage 6, 91054 Erlangen. neuroradiologie@rzmail.uni-erlangen.de
Hastreiter
P
P
Eberhardt
K E
KE
Nimsky
C
C
Greess
H
H
Huk
W J
WJ
Naraghi
R
R
D003196:Computer Graphics; D007758:Ear, Inner / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D004432:Ear, Middle / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D002532:Intracranial Aneurysm / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D012016:Reference Values; D012984:Software; D013701:Temporal Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*