Overview

Three-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging of congenital heart disease has been practiced for many years. Even experts have difficulties occasionally converting two-dimensional MR plane films to mental 3D images. Incorrect diagnosis can and does affect patient outcome. The radiologic diagnosis often determines what surgical corrections will be attempted.

Beyond making a correct diagnosis, one must also be able to convey the critical information to other clinicians, especially surgeons. Surface reconstructions of congenital heart defects have been used for many years to show the size and location of the intracardiac defects and pulmonary venous drainage abnormalities.

The first step is to segment out the structures of interest. One way of accomplishing this is using VIDA's 2D Segmentation program trace the heart chambers and vessels of interest.

Last the image can be visualized in 3D using VIDA's Surface Renderer program. Making a movie can be accomplished by rotating through different orientations.

Last modified: Wed Jun 2 11:34:08 CDT