[Application of virtual imaging technique in diagnosis of intracranial aneurysms].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the value of virtual imaging technique in diagnosis of intracranial aneurysms.


METHODS
Fifty-four cases of 54 intracranial aneurysm diagnosed by three-dimensional CT angiography (3D-CTA) examinations were enrolled in this study. Three-dimensional virtual images of the skull and cerebral vessels were acquired by three-dimensional reconstruction of the original CT images using the surgical planning system, and the location, size and shape of the aneurysms and their anatomical relationship with the adjacent tissues were observed and measured from several angles. All the patients underwent surgical planning and simulated surgical operations using the virtual surgical instruments available in the system.


RESULTS
All the 54 cases had successful three-dimensional virtual image reconstruction and the surgical planning operations. The virtual imaging system generated clear and vivid three-dimensional virtual images which clearly visualized the location and size of the aneurysms and their precise anatomical relations to the parent arteries and skull. This virtual reality imaging system also allowed simulation of simple surgical procedures.


CONCLUSIONS
The surgical planning system based on the virtual reality imaging can serve as a useful means to assist the diagnosis and provide precise imaging details of intracranial aneurysms.
Guo
Yan-wu
YW
Department of Neurosurgery/Neurosurgery Institute of Guangdong Province, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510282, China. dguoyanwu@163.com
Wang
Qiu-jing
QJ
Jia
Hong-shun
HS
Duan
Chuan-zhi
CZ
Ke
Yi-quan
YQ
Xu
Ru-xiang
RX
D002533:Cerebral Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D002532:Intracranial Aneurysm / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*