ABSTRACT
Medical three-dimensional (3D) imaging produces “pretty pictures” which, as discussed in the other chapters, can be clinically useful. However, in addition to improved qualitative assessment, 3D imaging provides us with the potential of more accurate quantification than can be done using the original slice images. In this chapter, the authors discuss some methodologies for quantification using the 3D surface imaging approach. Specifically, they describe how the location in the original slices of a point on the displayed 3D surface is identified, how the (3D) distance between two such points is measured, and how a volume enclosed by such a surface is calculated. The authors then briefly review the literature regarding the application of quantification using 3D imaging to other medical problems. Once the 3D locations of each of a pair of surface points have been identified, the calculation of the (3D) distance between them is quite trivial.
