Image Optimization Tools and Image Display

Abstract

Image optimization is an important component of 3D image acquisition. The first and most important step is to obtain the best possible 2D image from which the 3D volumetric data set will be generated. The next step is to optimize the 3D volume dimensions to include not only the entire region of interest (ROI) but also anatomy that can serve as reference spatial coordinates. Further 3D image optimization is achieved through use of several tools including appropriate gain and compression settings, and tissue cropping which includes slicing the volumetric 3D data set in virtually any 2D tomographic plane to remove interfering tissue and noise artifacts, and to highlight the region of interest (ROI) within the 3D data set. Moreover, multiplanar reconstruction (MPR) of the volumetric 3D data set, allows for viewing cardiac structures from any perspective, assessing cardiac pathology simultaneously in multiple planes, and quantifying complex geometric lesions and flow. Once the 3D volume is optimized, a clinically important step is to ensure proper image orientation and display.