AN IMPROVED COMPUTER METHOD TO PREPARE 3D MAGNETIC-RESONANCE IMAGES OF THORACIC STRUCTURES

The mediastinal and cardiovascular anatomy is complex. We have develop ed a three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction system for the major medias tinal structures using magnetic resonance imaging data on a NeXT works tation, The program uses a combination of automatic and manual procedu res to determine the contours of the cardiac structures. The geometric centers of the contours are connected by a 3D space curve, and the ce ntral axis of each cardiac structures is determined. The contours are projected on the perpendicular plane to the central axis and semiautom atically processed until the contours of one pixel are obtained. Then the surface rendering with transparency is performed. Compositing comb ines two images so that both appear in the composite, superimposed on each other. Demonstration of the various mediastinal lines and cardiov ascular diseases by the composits of the partly transparent 3D images has promoted a better understanding of the complex mediastinal and car diovascular anatomy and diseases. Copyright (C) 1997 by W.B. Saunders Company.