A technique for multiplanar reformation and three-dimensional analysis of computed tomographic data: application to adult hip disease.

A commercially available system which is able to accept input from computed tomographic (CT) or magnetic resonance (MR) scanners was used preoperatively to generate multiplanar reformations (MPR) and three-dimensional (3D) images depicting the osseous morphologic alterations and femoral-acetabular relationships in 25 adult patients with a variety of hip diseases. Polyethylene surface representations of femora and acetabulae were constructed by the 3D-contouring of CT data and were then compared to resected specimens from patients who subsequently underwent total hip arthroplasty. Information provided by this imaging strategy was useful in both selecting and guiding the most appropriate surgical procedure, and the models depicted actual osseous contours with reasonable accuracy. The system employed has distinct advantages over other previously described 3D imaging strategies, which include a menu-driven user-friendly interface, data base access via reference images, 3D sectional analysis, and contour file editing for selective visualization of desired structures.