Overview

Computed Tomography (CT) imaging of pediatric patients with tumors is currently used primarily to assess tumor growth. More recently, helical CT has been used to obtain higher resolution, thin slices data sets for 3D reconstructions. Since these patients are followed for long periods of time, it is preferable to use minimal radiation in their assesment. Using sophisticated interpolation algorithms we have been able to construct useful pre-operative 3D pictures of the tumors in relation to other organs and vessels. We have found that in several cases customary lower radiation scans can also be used to provide useful 3D reconstructions thereby eliminating the need for adiitional radiation exposure.

First, the organs of interest are identified and segmented from surrounding structures using VIDA's 2D Segmentation program. Each structure of interest is given a specific value so it can be extracted by VIDA's Surface Render program.

VIDA's Surface Render program interpolates between slices to provide smoother more realistic views of the structures of interest. Accurate spatial relationships of organs, vasculature, and the tumor can be easily identified by rotating

Last modified: Fri Jun 4 13:47:34 CDT