MDCT Angiography With 3D Rendering: A Novel Cinematic Rendering Algorithm for Enhanced Anatomic Detail

The two most widely used postprocessing 3D tools in clinical practice are volume rendering (VR) and maximum intensity projection (MIP). With the use of current-generation MDCT, these techniques enable accurate characterization of arterial anatomy and pathology in all anatomic regions. Recently, the VR algorithm has been enhanced by the incorporation of a new lighting model. This new technique-called cinematic rendering-generates photorealistic images with the potential to more accurately depict anatomic detail. As an enhancement of the technology championed in VR, cinematic rendering promises to provide additional anatomic detail for MDCT interpretation and display. Future investigations must be conducted to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of cinematic rendering and determine whether interpretative pitfalls result from its unique lighting model in practice.