Three-dimensional interactive analysis of craniofacial and spinal computed tomography.

Three-dimensional interactive display of CT data from 23 cases of craniofacial and spinal pathology using a solids processing computer system was compared with conventional two-dimensional CT display. Three-dimensional display gave a more complete perspective of complex displacement patterns of facial and spinal fractures, and more clearly defined surface anatomy of osseous tumors and malformations. In 7 cases however, processing algorithms for three-dimensional display caused subtle anatomic features and non-displaced fractures to be obscured. These false negatives were clinically significant in cases of petrous bone pathology and in non-displaced spinal fractures that affected stability.