Fast interactive three-dimensional visualization of the temporal bone withdirect volume rendering

Introduction. For the first time, the relatively new method of interactive direct volume rendering (dVR) allows for a fast and direct three-dimensiona l visualization of spiral CT data without any manual, explicit segmentation . This study was performed to prove whether dVR is capable of providing a m eaningful three-dimensional visualization of the structures within the temp oral bone. Patients and methods. In ten patients a three-dimensional visualization of the structures of the inner and middle ear was performed from spiral CT dat a on a commercially available graphics workstation. Results. The cochlea and semicircular canals were visualized in good qualit y in all patients. The ossicles and bony facial canal were visualized in go od or fair quality in most cases. The time needed for the visualization of the data and all target structures was less than 15 min in all cases. Conclusions. Three-dimensional visualization of the structures within the t emporal bone from high-resolution spiral CT data using dVR is easily perfor med in a very short time on standard graphics workstations. This allows int egrating three-dimensional visualizations into routine clinical work.