3D visualization of perianal fistulas using parametric models.

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging
• Surgical Anatomy
• Computational Modeling

Background:

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is standard for assessing complex perianal fistulas.
• 3D models from MRI improve understanding of fistula anatomy and pelvic floor relations for surgical planning.
• Current 3D model generation is time-consuming due to manual delineation on MRI slices.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an automated method for generating 3D models of perianal fistulas from MRI.
• To reduce the manual effort and time required for 3D model creation by radiologists.
• To provide enhanced anatomical information to surgeons for improved treatment of complex perianal fistulas.

Main Methods:

• A novel method was developed to represent perianal fistula anatomies as parametric 3D models.
• A 3D Slicer software plugin was created for generating these parametric models from MRI data.
• Key structures like the levator ani muscle, sphincters, fistula tracks, and abscesses were modeled as tubular structures and splines.

Main Results:

• Parametric models were successfully generated for three complex perianal fistula cases.
• Similarity measures were computed for ten cases, validating the model's accuracy.
• The parametric models were generated faster and provided richer visual information compared to standard 3D models.

Conclusions:

• The proposed parametric modeling method offers faster generation of 3D information for perianal fistula cases.
• This approach enhances visualization, aiding surgeons in treating complex perianal fistulas.
• The method shows potential to streamline the workflow for radiologists and improve surgical outcomes.