UCLA

Fractures of the acetabulum can cause the pelvis to shatter into a wide array of complex configurations which can be difficult to fully delineate preoperatively. In addition to plain radiography and standard computed tomography, technology now allows the reconstruction of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) data into virtual objects; three dimensional (3D) representations of anatomy which exist only within the computer memory. Printouts and photographs of 3D reconstructions provide another level of anatomic information to the orthopaedic surgeon. However, current standard displays such as computer and video screens and photographic and radiographic film are all two dimensional (2D) modalities. Displaying 3D reconstructions in this standard 2D fashion, inescapably robs the images of up to one third of the information contained within them--all the true depth information which is the essence of 3D. Shading techniques and perspective have both been utilized to simulate depth, but true depth is still lacking. Recently, the authors have begun using a technique of computerized 3D reconstruction and recording which provides a true 3D display of the reconstructed images. The resultant gain in image realism is profound, somewhat similar to hearing full stereo audiophonic recording compared to monophonic, or to seeing in color rather than black and white. The image generation and display process is a computerized mathematical adaptation of the photographic technique of stereophotography. Once in place, the technique is relatively simple to use and can be achieved in several ways with a minimum of additional hardware. Potential benefits lie in the method's ability to convey, in one 3D display, the true 3D, spatial anatomic configuration of the imaged pelvis. The methods described are common to those forming the fundamental basis for virtual reality imaging. Current users of some 3D reconstruction systems can now easily generate images which can be viewed with all of the depth information restored, into a true 3D display.