A Review of Three-Dimensional Medical Image Visualization

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging and Visualization
• Computer-Aided Diagnosis
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Medical images are crucial in modern healthcare and a key area for visualization research.
• Medical professionals often lack awareness of advanced 3D visualization techniques that can improve data analysis and clinical decision-making.
• Bridging the gap between medical experts and visualization researchers is essential for advancing medical image analysis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a comprehensive review of 3D medical image visualization techniques.
• To enhance medical experts' understanding and utilization of advanced visualization tools.
• To facilitate collaboration between medical and visualization communities for precision medicine.

Main Methods:

• Revisiting fundamental visualization techniques for diverse medical imaging modalities (e.g., CT, DTI).
• Reviewing state-of-the-art medical visualization based on a procedure-oriented classification of medical problems.
• Summarizing free software tools for medical image visualization, analysis, and segmentation.

Main Results:

• Identification of visualization techniques that enhance spatial perception critical for medical practices.
• A procedure-oriented classification of medical visualization for individual and population studies.
• A curated list of free software tools with internet links for various medical imaging applications.

Conclusions:

• 3D visualization techniques offer valuable tools for medical experts to address specific clinical challenges.
• The review serves as a quick reference for selecting appropriate visualization techniques based on medical problems and image modalities.
• Enhanced understanding and utilization of medical imaging data through accessible techniques and tools can advance precision medicine.