Three dimensional reconstruction of craniofacial vascularity based on the data of CT strengthening scanning

BACKGROUND: Using three dimensional (3D) reconstruction techniques, any part of body is accessible to visual observation. However, reports concerning 3D reconstruction of craniofacial vascularity based on PC are few in China. OBJECTIVE: To explore the method and the application values of reconstructing a digital 3D model of craniofacial vascularity based on the data of CT strengthening scanning. METHODS: CT strengthening scan images from a healthy volunteer in DICOM format were imported into Mimics 10.01 software and craniofacial blood vessels were reconstructed with the technique of thresholding, editing and 3D region grawing. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The 3D digital model of craniofacial blood vessels was obtained. This model could be zoomed and rotated randomly and displayed the spatial positions and adjacent relationships of different anatomical structures, also the reconstructed structures could be measured in 3D space. The 3D digital model of craniofacial blood vessels can be reconstructed conveniently and quickly with Mimics software on PC, and also it can bring morphological reference to human anatomy teaching, clinical neurosurgery, oral and maxillofacial surgery, as well as image diagnosis, and will be helpful to generate a virtual plateform in craniofacial surgery.