Binocular three-dimensional perception through stereoscopic generation from rotating images

Abstract

The authors evaluated the clinical utility and potential applications of a binocular three-dimensional (3D) image display in diagnostic radiology. Rotating video displays of computed tomographic (CT), magnetic resonance (MR) angiographic, and digital subtraction angiographic (DSA) image data were used to generate stereoscopic image displays with a 3D appearance. Eight physicians viewed and scored eight skeletal and eight vascular-interventional studies with a planar display mode and a cathode ray tube. Each physician then viewed the 3D display of the same data and assessed the change in image findings, as well as any corresponding changes in level of diagnostic confidence. Image findings changed in 78 (61%) of the 128 studies after viewing the 3D displays. In 94 (73%) of all 128 studies, the interpreters reported increased confidence in their perception of the findings. Results for the vascular-interventional and skeletal cases were generally very similar. Binocular 3D stereoscopic displays from rotating images were reported to provide better image conceptualization and a higher degree of confidence in the findings on the images.