ABSTRACT
The role of three-dimensional imaging has evolved over the past two decades. Three-dimensional imaging was initially hailed as a visualization technique to allow the surgeon to better understand complex anatomy in a more intuitive form than through a series of transaxial slices. Although our clinical colleagues in orthopedics, plastic surgery, neurosurgery, and other subspecialties found the images to be of value, most radiologists felt the images were of little benefit and routinely did not provide three-dimensional imaging services in their hospital. The specific clinical applications where three-dimensional imaging is used will vary from institution to institution depending on the clinical workload and local expertise. Space does not allow us to address all of the applications but the more classic ones are addressed. However, before the authors discuss applications let us review some of the principles of 3D imaging and what techniques are currently available.
