title: A Method for Accurate Reconstructions of the Upper Airway Using Magnetic Resonance Images.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study is to provide an optimized method to reconstruct the structure of the upper airway (UA) based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) that can faithfully show the anatomical structure with a smooth surface without artificial modifications.
  
  
  METHODS
  MRI was performed on the head and neck of a healthy young male participant in the axial, coronal and sagittal planes to acquire images of the UA. The level set method was used to segment the boundary of the UA. The boundaries in the three scanning planes were registered according to the positions of crossing points and anatomical characteristics using a Matlab program. Finally, the three-dimensional (3D) NURBS (Non-Uniform Rational B-Splines) surface of the UA was constructed using the registered boundaries in all three different planes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A smooth 3D structure of the UA was constructed, which captured the anatomical features from the three anatomical planes, particularly the location of the anterior wall of the nasopharynx. The volume and area of every cross section of the UA can be calculated from the constructed 3D model of UA.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A complete scheme of reconstruction of the UA was proposed, which can be used to measure and evaluate the 3D upper airway accurately.
authors.affiliation: School of Biomedical Engineering, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Fundamental Research on Biomechanics in Clinical Application, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Huahui
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Xiong
authors.affiliation: School of Biomedical Engineering, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Fundamental Research on Biomechanics in Clinical Application, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Xiaoqing
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: School of Biomedical Engineering, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Fundamental Research on Biomechanics in Clinical Application, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Yong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Jianhong
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Junfang
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Xian
authors.affiliation: School of Biomedical Engineering, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Fundamental Research on Biomechanics in Clinical Application, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Yaqi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Huang
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D009296:Nasal Cavity / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D009305:Nasopharynx / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D009960:Oropharynx / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D012137:Respiratory System / Q000033:anatomy & histology*