Skip to main content
Log in

Methods and applications of three-dimensional imaging in orthopedics

  • Original Articles
  • Published:
Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

Computed tomography is a commonly used technique for detecting pathological alterations in soft tissues and the skeleton. Three-dimensional images of the skeleton are very useful for planning surgical treatment and monitoring therapy, but unfortunately mental reconstruction of complex three-dimensional anatomical structures from conventional tomography is very difficult. This article describes a process by which automated analysis of the regions of interest in the computed tomographic (CT) images yields the contours of the surfaces which can be presented pseudo-three-dimensionally using Phong's lighting model and Gouraud's shading methods. Three applications in the areas of orthopedics and neurosurgery demonstrate the efficacy of the method.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Alexander J, Kalender WA, Linke G (1985) Computertomographie, Bewertungsmerkmale - Gerätetechnik - Anwendungen. Siemens AG, Berlin München

    Google Scholar 

  2. Bunke H (1985) Modellgesteuerte Bildanalyse. Teubner, Stuttgart

    Google Scholar 

  3. Englmeier K-H, Pöppl SJ (1986) A new imaging method and its application in gynecological treatment planning. Proc. Fifth Conference on Medical Informatics, Washington, Oct. 26–30, pp 745–751

  4. Foley JD, Van Dam A (1982) Fundamentals of interactive computer graphics. Addison - Wesley, Amsterdam

    Google Scholar 

  5. Gonzalez RC, Wintz P (1987) Digital image processing. Addison - Wesley, Amsterdam

    Google Scholar 

  6. Gordon D, Reynolds RA (1985) Image space shading of 3-dimensional objects. Computer Vision Graphics Image Processing 29:361–376

    Google Scholar 

  7. Gouraud H (1971) Continuous shading of curved surfaces. IEEE Transactions on Computers C-20:623–629

    Google Scholar 

  8. Granholm JW, Robertson DD, Walker PS, Nelson PC (1987) Computer design of custom femoral stem prostheses. IEEE Computer Graphics Applications 2:26–35

    Google Scholar 

  9. Newman WA, Sproull RF (1979) Principles of interactive computer graphics. McGraw-Hill, New York

    Google Scholar 

  10. Phong BT (1975) Illumination for computer-generated pictures. Commun ACM,6, vol 18

    Google Scholar 

  11. Rhodes RL, Azzawi Y-M, Chu ES, Pang AT (1985) Computer communications and graphics for clinical radiology. Proc. Int. Symposium C.A.R. '85, Berlin. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York

    Google Scholar 

  12. Rothuizen P, Van Erning L, Huiskes R (1987) The accuracy of criteria for automatic 3-D graphics reconstruction of bone from computer tomography. Proc. 5th Meeting of the European Society of Biomechanics, Berlin, Sept. 1986. Martinus Nijhoff, Dordrecht, pp 109–114

    Google Scholar 

  13. Serra J (1988) Image analysis and mathematical morphology, vol 1. Academic, London

    Google Scholar 

  14. Wojcik WG, Edeiken-Monroe BW, Harris JH (1987) Threedimensional computed tomography in acute cervical spine trauma. A preliminary report. Skeletal Radiol 16:261–269

    Google Scholar 

  15. Zonneveld FW, Albrecht C (1981) Computed tomography: a review of the past and present and the perspective of the future. Medicamundi 26:81

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Englmeier, K.H., Wieber, A., Milachowski, K.A. et al. Methods and applications of three-dimensional imaging in orthopedics. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 109, 186–190 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00453138

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00453138

Keywords

Navigation