Three-dimensional guide-wire reconstruction from biplane image sequences for integrated display in 3-D vasculature

Using three-dimensional rotational X-ray angiography (3DRA), three-dimensional (3-D) information of the vasculature can be obtained prior to endovascular interventions. However, during interventions, the radiologist has to rely on fluoroscopy images to manipulate the guide wire. In order to take full advantage of the 3-D information from 3DRA data during endovascular interventions, a method is presented that yields an integrated display of the position of the guide wire and vasculature in 3-D. The method relies on an automated method that tracks the guide wire simultaneously in biplane fluoroscopy images. Based on the calibrated geometry of the C-arm, the 3-D guide-wire position is determined and visualized in the 3-D coordinate system of the vasculature. The method is evaluated in an intracranial anthropomorphic vascular phantom. The influence of the angle between projections, distortion correction of the projection images, and accuracy of geometry knowledge on the accuracy of 3-D guide-wire reconstruction from biplane images is determined. If the calibrated geometry information is used and the images are corrected for distortion, a mean distance to the reference standard of 0.42 mm and a tip distance of 0.65 mm is found, which means that accurate guide-wire reconstruction from biplane images can be performed.