title: In vivo thorax 3D modelling from costovertebral joint complex kinematics.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The costovertebral joint complex is mechanically involved in both respiratory function and thoracic spine stability. The thorax has been studied for a long time to understand its involvement in the physiological mechanism leading to specific gas exchange. Few studies have focused on costovertebral joint complex kinematics, and most of them focused on experimental in vitro analysis related to loading tests or global thorax and/or lung volume change analysis. There is however a clinical need for new methods allowing to process in vivo clinical data. This paper presents results from in vivo analysis of the costovertebral joint complex kinematics from clinically-available retrospective data.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this study, in vivo spiral computed tomography imaging data were obtained from 8 asymptomatic subjects at three different lung volumes (from total lung capacity to functional residual capacity) calibrated using a classical spirometer. Fusion methods including 3D modelling and kinematic analysis were used to provide 3D costovertebral joint complex visualization for the true ribs (i.e., first seven pairs of ribs).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The 3D models of the first seven pairs of costovertebral joint complexes were obtained. A continuous kinematics simulation was interpolated from the three discrete computerized tomography positions. Helical axis representation was also achieved.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Preliminary results show that the method leads to meaningful and relevant results for clinical and pedagogical applications. Research in progress compares data from a sample of healthy volunteers with data collected from patients with cystic fibrosis to obtain new insights about the costovertebral joint complex range of motion and helical axis assessment in different pathological conditions.
authors: Laboratory of Anatomy, Biomechanics and Organogenesis, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Bruxelles, Belgium. Electronic address: bbeyer@ulb.ac.be.
authors: Benoît
authors: B
authors: Beyer
authors: Laboratory of Anatomy, Biomechanics and Organogenesis, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Bruxelles, Belgium; Department of Applied Mathematics, State Polytechnical University (SPbSPU), Saint Petersburg, Russia.
authors: Victor
authors: V
authors: Sholukha
authors: Laboratory of Functional Anatomy, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Bruxelles, Belgium; Laboratory of Manual Therapy, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Bruxelles, Belgium.
authors: Pierre Michel
authors: PM
authors: Dugailly
authors: Laboratory of Anatomy, Biomechanics and Organogenesis, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Bruxelles, Belgium; Laboratory of Functional Anatomy, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Bruxelles, Belgium.
authors: Marcel
authors: M
authors: Rooze
authors: Laboratory of Anatomy, Biomechanics and Organogenesis, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Bruxelles, Belgium.
authors: Fedor
authors: F
authors: Moiseev
authors: Laboratory of Functional Anatomy, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Bruxelles, Belgium.
authors: Véronique
authors: V
authors: Feipel
authors: Laboratory of Anatomy, Biomechanics and Organogenesis, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Bruxelles, Belgium.
authors: Serge
authors: S
authors: Van Sint Jan
mesh_terms: D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D015656:Respiratory Mechanics / Q000502:physiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012272:Ribs / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000502:physiology*; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000502:physiology*; D036542:Tomography, Spiral Computed
keywords: Costovertebral kinematics; Helical axis; Respiratory mechanics; Rib cage mechanics; Thorax modelling