[Reformatting 3-dimensional medical images. Application to MRI and scanners]

Several kinds of images, each giving a different information, are now available to radiologists. The MRI images have excellent contrast resolution and enable soft tissues to be differentiated, but they do not distinguish structures with low water content, notably air and bone, whereas these are easily recognized by CT. The aim of this study is to present a simple, entirely radiologist-supervised method to examine the radiological data of any patient, obtained from several kinds of images. MRI is performed using a GEMS Signa, 1.5 Tesla, 4.9 version magnet. Acquisitions are T1- or T2-weighted spin-echo or gradient sequences, with a 256 or 512 matrix, on axial sections, with of without contrast injection. CT is performed using a GEMS Hi Speed scanner. Acquisitions are obtained on a 512 matrix and with a "Soft" or "Bone" filter, without contrast injection. The two series of sections are transmitted, through an Etherne network, to a Sun console where the two corresponding volumes are reconstructed on a GEMS Voxtol by means of a 3-dimensional soft ware for image treatment. At least 3 couples define the rotation and translation required for one of the two volumes to reset it in the guide mark of the other. The soft ware then looks for the best transformation, in terms of least square, between the two 3-dimensional volumes. The calculation demands only a few seconds. One of the two objects is then recalculated in the guide mark of the other. The cursor positioned by the user on any point of the object is linked to a second cursor which will automatically position itself on the corresponding point of the other object. The accuracy obtained (about one millimeter) is specified by the soft ware which indicates how to improve resetting. In addition to its teaching value, this superimposition image can help in the diagnosis and can be used for surgical stimulation because it is possible to mix the images. This mixing gives access to a new type of imaging, since the images spared can be reconstructed in volume, and treated in all planes, as a CT or MRI examination. The term "Anatomical Reconstruction Images" may be suggested for this new type of examination. Beside intermodal comparison, one may also imagine that the soft ware can be used to follow up the patient over time (repeat MRI) or to make comparisons between several objects, although the elastic resetting method is more often appropriate in the second case.