The UMHS Department of Radiology 3D Imaging Laboratory provides 3D renderings of CT and MR images, and quantitation of anatomical structures, to aid in diagnosis and pre-operative planning.
Rendering techniques include curved planar (CPR), oblique and multiplanar (MPR) reconstructions in maximum and minimum intensity (MIP and MinIP), and average projections; virtual bronchoscopy and 3D volume rendering (VR). The following is a list of study types with some sample images:
Aorta Analysis – MIP and 3D VR, vessel analysis generating diameter, length and volume measurements for pre-operative planning and post-operative follow-up for aneurysm, dissection and trans-catheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).
Bone – 3D VR of any bony structure for fracture and pre-operative planning, including but not limited to trauma and FAI hip assessment.
Brain Perfusion – qualitative and quantitative evaluation of cerebral perfusion by generating maps of cerebral blood flow (CBF), cerebral blood volume (CBV), and mean transit time (MTT). Perfusion CT is used to evaluate acute stroke, vasospasm, cerebral vascular reserve and temporary balloon occlusion.
Cardiac Analysis – coronary artery calcium scoring, coronary artery and bypass vessel analysis and cardiac functional analysis.
Circle of Willis/Carotid Analysis – 3D MIP and VR of head and neck vasculature, including vessel probe of diseased vessels to demonstrate narrowing or occlusion with stenosis measurements.
Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) and Functional MRI (fMRI) – pre-surgical mapping using fiber tracking software to visualize white matter tracts in the evaluation of brain tumors, traumatic brain injury, and white matter disease.
Enterography – MIP and black and white 3D VR of the bowel and mesentery in the evaluation of IBD and Crohn’s disease.
Hepatic, Mesenteric, Pancreatic and Renal – MIP, CPR, VR, volume measurements and vessel analysis for stenosis, ischemia, and pre-operative planning for resection or transplantation.
Lower and Upper Extremity Run-offs – volume renderings of the lower as well as upper extremity peripheral vasculature, including vessel probe of diseased vessels to demonstrate narrowing or occlusion, with stenosis measurements.
Lung Analysis – 3D volume renderings and quantification of lung volumes for emphysema and pre- and post-VEPTR candidates, MinIPs and virtual bronchoscopy of the trachea.
Urography - Coronal thick or thin slab MPRs, in MIP or Average rendering modes and 3D VR of the renal collecting system, ureters and bladder, including vessel analysis and 3D VR of UPJ obstruction and potential renal donors, as well as functional analysis for MRU
TRAM Flap Breast Reconstruction – thick slab MPR’s in MIP rendering mode and 3D VR of abdominal wall depicting inferior epigastric artery anatomy and perforator location relative to umbilicus, and CPR and 3D VR depicting thoracodorsal and internal mammary artery anatomy, assessing patency and caliber at sternal angle for pre-operative planning.