Three-dimensional reconstruction of trachea using computed tomography imaging as therapy for tracheal stenosis in infants.
OBJECTIVE
In this study, we aim to develop a system that uses computed tomography (CT) imaging for three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of the trachea as therapy for tracheal stenosis in infants, and further calculate the cross-sectional area and volume, assisting doctors in clinical diagnosis.


METHODS
We first used image processing, calculating the cross-sectional area and volume. We used the improved median filter for image processing and designed the system for capturing the cross-sectional area of endotracheal tube. We then established 3D reconstruction images with isosurface extraction technology and calculated the cross-sectional area and volume. Medical indicator data analysis was performed.


RESULTS
The median filter developed in this study performed better in filtering speckle noise compared to traditional filtering methods. Furthermore, the median filter can keep fine texture feature, so that the subsequent contour selection and 3D reconstructed volume are more accurate. We also proposed new medical grading indexes according to tracheal obstruction volume ratio to assist doctors with the diagnosis and provide recommendations on treatment. Seventeen samples were examined in this study. Four sections of each sample are reviewed. Sixty-eight sections were used for validation, and the overall accuracy is very reliable.


CONCLUSIONS
Using image processing we obtained tracheal CT images before 3D reconstruction and calculated the cross-sectional area and volume of the trachea. New medical indicators are proposed according to the location and severity of stenosis to assist doctors with diagnosis.
Graduate Institute of Automation and Control, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taipei 10607, Taiwan. Electronic address: jeffreykuo@mail.ntust.edu.tw.
Chung-Feng Jeffrey
CF
Kuo
Department of Otolaryngology of MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
Yi-Shing
YS
Leu
Department of Radiology in Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
Richard
R
Kuo
Department of Otolaryngology of MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
Chin-Hui
CH
Su
Graduate Institute of Automation and Control, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taipei 10607, Taiwan.
Tzu-Chieh
TC
Yuan
Graduate Institute of Automation and Control, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taipei 10607, Taiwan.
Bo-Han
BH
Ke
Department of Materials Science and Engineering, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taipei 10607, Taiwan.
Nain-Ying
NY
Wu
D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014132:Trachea / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000254:growth & development; D014135:Tracheal Stenosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*
Adjuvant therapy for tracheal stenosis; Infant tracheal stenosis; Tracheal three-dimensional reconstruction