[Usefulness of 3-dimensional image analysis of skull base lesions]

We have evaluated three-dimensional (3D) images of the skull base lesions for planning cranial base surgery. Fifty 3D images were reconstructed from computed tomographies (CT), and/or magnetic resonance (MR) images or MR angiographic images of 30 patients with skull base lesions. These images have provided useful information for pre-operative evaluation. The 3D image reconstructed from CT provides clear information concerning the bone. Conversely, the 3D image from MR images demonstrates soft tissue very clearly, and that from MR angiography provides a detailed description of the vasculature. For skull base lesions, it is essential to evaluate 3D images from the different modalities, especially CT scan and MR image.