Three-Dimensional Image System in Diagnosis of Pelvic Fracture

Many medical imaging devices, such as magnetic resonance image (MRI) and computed tomography (CT), produce image sequences of two-dimensional (2D) cross-section al slices which contain three-dimensional(3D)information on the examined organs. When the physician analyzes the sequence of images slice by slice, it is very difficult to imagine the 3D shape of the examined structure. When the images are used for medical training and education, it is even more difficult. At National Cheng Kung University, a medical imaging system, called DISCOVER (Distributed Interactive Scientific Computing and Visualization Environment), has been implemented for almost real-time interactive display and manipulation of 3D medical images. This system is applied to improve the diagnosis of pelvic fractures and to promote medical education. The preliminary results of this application are presented. We strongly believe that 3D image will have a great impact on both medical education and clinical practice in the future.