Three-dimensional CT reconstruction of the surface of the sinonasal cavities, pharynx and larynx: Normal anatomy

ABSTRACT

Simulated three-dimensional (3D) imaging represents reformation of conventional sectional imaging data into a series of images that closely resemble the original studied structure. We tried to make 3D mucosal surface images of the sinonasal cavities, pharynx and larynx, and evaluated the feature of normal anatomy in 28 subjects. In the sinonasal cavities, 3D imaging was capable of demonstrating the inner wall of paranasal sinuses and its openings, and general status status of the nasal cavity. In the nasal cavity. In the nasopharynx, 3D imaging provided an easy concept of sectional images as 3D picture and displayed anatomic subsites and lesions comparable to that in fiberscope. In addition, 3D imaging had advantages in overcoming the technical limitations in fiberscope. In the larynx and hypopharynx, 3D imaging gave a 3D concept of the laryngeal structures and presented additive information not seen in axial iamges thus enabling access to regions beyond the scope of fiberscope. In conclusion, 3D imaging allows an easy conceptualization of transaxial CT images in complex anatomic areas and provides additional in formations undetectable in transaxial CT. We believe that the spaces of the sinonasal cavities, pharynx and larynx would be a new field of application of 3D image.