Local and Remote Visualization Techniques for Interactive Direct Volume Rendering in Neuroradiology

摘要

The increasing capabilities of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and multisection spiral computed tomography (CT) to acquire volumetric data with near-isotropic voxels make three-dimensional (3D) postprocessing a necessity, especially in studies of complex structures like intracranial vessels. Since most modern CT and MR imagers provide limited postprocessing capabilities, 3D visualization with interactive direct volume rendering requires expensive graphics workstations that are not available at many institutions. An approach has been developed that combines fast visualization on a low-cost PC system with high-quality visualization on a high-end graphics workstation that is directly accessed and remotely controlled from the PC environment via the Internet by using a Java client. For comparison of quality, both techniques were applied to several neuroradiologic studies: visualization of structures related to the inner ear, intracranial aneurysms, and the brainstem and surrounding neurovascular structures. Th...