PERSONAL COMPUTER-BASED 3-DIMENSIONAL ULTRASOUND BIOMICROSCOPY OF THEANTERIOR SEGMENT

Objective: To develop a practical, inexpensive system for 3-dimensiona l ultrasound biomicroscopic imaging of the anterior segment with a com mercially available high-frequency ultrasound imager and a personal co mputer. Methods: Sequential, high-frequency, ultrasound biomicroscopic images of the anterior segment were obtained with a motorized scannin g control arm designed in our imaging laboratory. Images were acquired by a personal computer-based video capture device. Ultrasound slice d ata were then reconstructed as 3-dimensional volumetric images by a pe rsonal computer and commercially available software. Results: Four 3-d imensional visualization formats were developed to enhance the clinica l utility of high-frequency ultrasound. Rotational animation sequences were created that detailed the extent and anatomy of a filtering bleb , intraocular lens subluxation, focal angle closure from an iridocilia ry cyst, intraocular foreign bodies, and an iris tumor. Conclusions: T hree-dimensional, high-frequency ultrasound of the anterior segment en hances our ability to visualize spatial relationships between adjacent anatomic structures, The low cost and ease of use of this system make widespread clinical application practical.