[3-dimensional cranial and spinal computed tomography]

3-D CT images can be reconstructed with special software programs. Testing the importance of 3-D imaging for cranial and spinal CT was the aim of this study. The images were computed in 81 patients on the base of the CT data. 3-D views provided essentially the same diagnostic information as the conventional CT images but in a more useful form. The conditions are more apparent and the relationship between normal and abnormal structures is more easily understood. From this point of view, 3-D imaging makes it possible to improve communication between the radiologist and the attending physician.