Abstract
Background. Abnormal spinal curvature is routinely assessed with plain radiographs, MDCT, and MRI. MDCT can provide two-dimensional (2-D) orthogonal as well as reconstructed three-dimensional volume-rendered (3-D VR) images of the spine, including the translucent display: a computer-generated image set that enables the visualization of surgical instrumentation through bony structures. We hypothesized that the 3-D VR series provides additional information beyond that of 2-D orthogonal MDCT in the evaluation of abnormal spinal curvature in patients evaluated at a major cancer center. Methods. The 3-D VR series, including the translucent display, was compared to 2-D orthogonal MDCT studies in patients with an abnormal spinal curvature greater than 25 degrees and scored as being not helpful (0) or helpful (1) in 3 categories: spinal curvature; bony definition; additional findings (mass lesions, fractures, and instrumentation). Results. In 38 of 48 (79.2%) patients assessed, the 3-D VR series were scored as helpful in 63 of 144 (43.8%) total possible categories (32 spinal curvature; 14 bony definition; 17 additional findings). Conclusion. Three-dimensional MDCT images, including the translucent display, are complementary to multiplanar 2-D orthogonal MCDT in the evaluation of abnormal spinal curvature in patients treated at a major cancer center.
Highlights
Abnormal spinal curvature is routinely assessed with plain radiographs, multidetector Computed tomography (CT) (MDCT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
The 3-D Three-dimensional volumerendered (VR) series, including the translucent display, which are generated by computer manipulation of the axial CT source data without additional radiation, have led to a growth in demand for multidetector CT (MDCT) for the imaging of the spine by the spine surgeons at our institution, a major cancer center
The 3-D VR series was rated as “helpful” when compared to the 2-D orthogonal MDCT study in 38 of 48 (79.2%) patients; in 10 of 48 (20.8%) patients, the 3-D VR series was rated as “not helpful”
Summary
Abnormal spinal curvature is routinely assessed with plain radiographs, MDCT, and MRI. MDCT can provide two-dimensional (2-D) orthogonal as well as reconstructed three-dimensional volume-rendered (3-D VR) images of the spine, including the translucent display: a computer-generated image set that enables the visualization of surgical instrumentation through bony structures. We hypothesized that the 3-D VR series provides additional information beyond that of 2-D orthogonal MDCT in the evaluation of abnormal spinal curvature in patients evaluated at a major cancer center. Three-dimensional MDCT images, including the translucent display, are complementary to multiplanar 2-D orthogonal MCDT in the evaluation of abnormal spinal curvature in patients treated at a major cancer center. The data from the MDCT study can be used to generate a translucent display, a computergenerated image set that provides 3-D images of the spine enabling assessment of surgical instrumentation through the bony structures (Figures 2(c) and 2(d)). We tested the hypothesis that the 3-D VR series, including the translucent display, provides additional information beyond
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