3-DIMENSIONAL IMAGING IN ORTHOPEDIC-SURGERY - A RADIOLOGISTS VIEWPOINT

Since the profound changes in medical science brought about by the adv ent of digitized imaging (ultrasonography, CT scan, MRI), the 3D imagi ng born from these acquisition systems has progressively developed and its applications are being more and more widely used in orthopaedics and traumatology. Because of the value of multiplanar reconstructions and because they can be obtained in real time with most software, they have become the usual complement to the 2D data presented to the clin icians. 3D images which render surface and volume visible are easily g enerated and give the surgeon an overall view of the lesion as it will be revealed during the procedure. The most interesting perspectives a re those which will make 3D imaging a truly therapeutic tool. Three-di mensional systems using anatomical contour extraction open the way to simulated surgical procedures, virtual manipulation of bony parts, ana tomical modelling and customized prostheses. Surgical procedures and c omputer-assisted radiotherapy based on 3D images are becoming more wid espread. Lastly, 3D imaging by finite elements makes possible the stre ss simulations which are of particular interest in many orthopaedic di sorders.