Local and remote visualization techniques for interactive direct volume rendering in neuroradiology

The increasing capabilities of magnetic resonance (AIR) imaging and multise ction spiral computed tomography (CT) to acquire volumetric data with near- isotropic voxels make three-dimensional (3D) postprocessing a necessity, es pecially in studies of complex structures like intracranial vessels. Since most modem CT and MR imagers provide limited postprocessing capabilities, 3 D visualization with interactive direct volume rendering requires expensive graphics workstations that are not available at many institutions. An appr oach has been developed that combines fast visualization on a low-cost PC s ystem with high-quality visualization on a high-end graphics workstation th at is directly accessed and remotely controlled from the PC environment via the Internet by using a Java client. For comparison of quality, both techn iques were applied to several neuroradiologic studies: visualization of str uctures related to the inner ear, intracranial aneurysms, and the brainstem and surrounding neurovascular structures. The results of pure PC-based vis ualization were comparable with those of many commercially available volume -rendering systems. In addition, the high-end graphics workstation with 3D texture-mapping capabilities provides visualization results of the highest quality. Combining local and remote 3D visualization allows even small radi ologic institutions to achieve low-cost but high-quality 3D visualization o f volumetric data.