Few fields have witnessed such impressive advances as the application of computer technology to radiology. Post-processing and 3D reconstruction of diagnostic images are essential for the representation of complex anatomical structures and for an understanding of pathological changes in terms of both morphology and function. The progress achieved has greatly facilitated treatment selection and accurate planning of procedures. This book, written by leading experts from many different countries, provides a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of the role of 3D image processing. The first section covers a wide range of technical aspects in an informative way. This is followed by the main section, in which the principal clinical applications are described and discussed in depth. To complete the picture, the final section focuses on recent developments in functional imaging and computer-aided surgery. This book will prove invaluable to all who have an interest in this complex but vitally important field.

Technique

1 US Image Acquisition
2 CT Image Acquisition: from Single Slice to Multislice
3 MR Image Acquisition: from 2D to 3D
4 Surface Rendering
5 Volume Rendering
6 Virtual Endoscopy
7 Pitfalls and Artefacts in Virtual Endoscopy
8 3D Image Fusion
Clinical Applications
9 Electronic Brain Atlases: Features and Applications
10 Middle and Inner Ear
11 Virtual Endoscopy of Paranasal Sinuses
12 Virtual Laryngoscopy
13 Tracheobronchial Tree
14 Aorta
15 Peripheral Vessels
16 Esophagus and Stomach
17 CT Colonography
18 Virtual Dissection of the Colon
19 Liver
20 Biliary Tract
21 Upper Urinary Tract
22 Lower Urinary Tract
23 Musculoskeletal System
Special Topics
24 Analysis of Functional Images
25 Basis and Principles of Virtual Reality in Medical Imaging
26 Head and Hand Tracking Devices in Virtual Reality
27 Computer-Aided Surgery in Otolaryngology
28 Computer-Aided Brain Surgery: Present and Future
29 Computer-Aided Surgery in Orthopaedics
List of Acronyms
List of Contributors.