3D Imaging Applications Research Articles

Application of optical 3D imaging in exophthalmometry

A phosphatase PTEN (phosphatase and tensin homologue deleted on chromosome 10) is a tumor suppressor gene that suppresses cell growth, inhibits cell migration, and induces apoptosis. The phosphorylated form of PTEN (p-PTEN) is a key survival factor relating PI3K-Akt pathway and their downstream effectors. Spatiotemporal profiles of PTEN and p-PTEN expression were immunohistochemically examined after 90 min of transient middle cerebral artery occlusion in rats. In the ischemic core, PTEN progressively decreased by 3 days, whereas a rapid but transient increase of p-PTEN was found with a peak at 1 h after the reperfusion. In contrast, in the ischemic penumbra, PTEN showed a minor change and a gradual but sustained p-PTEN expression was observed in the ischemic penumbra with a peak at 12 h. In addition, the balance of population among strongly, moderately, and weakly stained cells was different between the ischemic core and penumbra at their peak time points. These results suggest an important role of p-PTEN for cell survival after ischemia as an upstream regulator for PI3K-Akt.

耳小骨病変の診断と治療

This review focused on both the new diagnostic method for ossicular anomalies and the pathophysiology of otosclerosis and otosclerosis-related disorders.First, this article demonstrated the advantages of virtual endoscopy imaging, and the application of 3D imaging for patients with ossicular anomalies. This technique may play an important role in preoperative planning and surgical training.With regard to stapes surgery, recent knowledge of the clinical characteristics and temporal bone pathology in patients with otosclerosis-related diseases was described. The cause of both complications and residual conductive hearing loss after stapes surgery was also discussed by clinical investigations and by histopathologic study of temporal bone in patients with otosclerosis.

Three-Dimensional Imaging for Orthognathic Surgery and Orthodontic Treatment

Summary Recent advances in orthognathic surgical techniques and orthodontic treatment, such as the use of dental implants for orthodontic anchorage, bone and tooth transplantation, and intraoral distraction for mandibular lengthening, have led to an increased demand for more advanced diagnostic image information than can be supplied by conventional radiography. In this article, the authors have reviewed several 3D imaging techniques that might be useful in this field. Currently, personal computers are equipped with such high processing speeds that it is easy to process interactively the image data of a complex 3D object and portray its dynamic properties in real-time. The powerful image-rendering capabilities of 3D CT may substitute for conventional radiographic examinations in the near future. Reducing the radiation dose to patients in spiral/helical CT scanning without impairing image quality, however, is a goal that must be achieved as soon as possible.14, 19 The limited cone-beam CT system seems to have an advantage because of the reduced radiation dose associated with the image data acquisition in a single rotation of the x-ray tube.1, 38 In the meantime, 3D imaging without any exposure to radiation and based on MR, ultrasound, or laserscanned image data is available to clinicians. The potential clinical applications of 3D imaging in dentistry represent a technologic advance that is rapidly becoming a reality that may far exceed anyone's expectations.

The current state of the art in three dimensional oncologic imaging: An overview

To provide an overview of the methods and clinical applications of three dimensional (3D) medical imaging in the oncologic patient. We briefly outline the techniques currently used to create 3D medical images with an emphasis on their strengths and shortcomings as they relate to oncologic imaging and radiation therapy planning. We then discuss some of the most important and promising oncologic applications of 3D imaging and suggest likely future directions in this rapidly developing field. Since the first application of 3D techniques to medical data over a decade ago, 3D medical images have evolved from relatively crude representations of musculoskeletal abnormalities to detailed and accurate representations of a variety of soft tissue, vascular, and oncologic pathology. The rapid development of both computer hardware and software coupled with the application of 3D techniques to a variety of imaging modalities have expanded the clinical applications of this technology dramatically. 3D medical images are clinically practical tools for oncologic evaluation and effective radiation therapy planning.