title: Design of functional simulation of renal cancer in virtual reality environments.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The preoperative planning of partial nephrectomy can be facilitated by the ability to view the tumor and surrounding tissue in three-dimensional (3D) virtual reality (VR). A technique to convert Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine computed tomography scan data into a fully 3D VR environment was developed. The model can be transferred to a personal computer, allowing the surgeon to view the 3D model in the operating room.
  
  
  METHODS
  Computed tomography data from a patient with multifocal renal masses was converted into a 3D polygonal mesh using Amira running on a desktop personal computer with Windows XP Professional. A Silicon Graphics Monster Onyx2 running the Linux operating system was used to view the 3D stereo model in the VR environments: either the CAVE or a specialized desk called the Immersadesk. An application to view and interact with the model on a desktop personal computer was written in C++.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A 3D model of the kidney, the multiple tumors, and the associated systems was created. The model could be viewed and manipulated in a true VR environment and on a desktop personal computer.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This project completed two major goals. First, a 3D model of a kidney containing multiple masses was created and viewed in a VR environment. Second, an interface to display the model on a desktop personal computer in the operating room was created. This is the first step in bringing VR technology to the operating room to assist the surgeon directly.
authors.affiliation: Division of Urology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA. knudsen-1@medctr.osu.edu
authors.forename: Bodo E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Knudsen
authors.forename: Gord
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Campbell
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kennedy
authors.forename: Justin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Amann
authors.forename: Darren T
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Beiko
authors.forename: James D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Watterson
authors.forename: Ben H
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Chew
authors.forename: John D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Denstedt
authors.forename: Stephen E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Pautler
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003198:Computer Simulation; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008953:Models, Anatomic