Stereoscopic visualization of three-dimensional ultrasonic data applied to breast tumours

This paper presents a technique for stereoscopic visualization applied to three-dimensional (3D) ultrasonic breast data.

A motorized acquisition system has been designed to translate regularly a linear-phased array transducer, in order to provide a series of parallel echographic slices of the breast. During acquisition, the breast is compressed between a plane support and a plexiglass plate to avoid breast motion. A window in this plate provides access for ultrasonic exploration. From the series of cross-sectional scans, a 3D volume is formed by interpolation between the successive ultrasonic images. A stereoscopic computer-graphic method has been developed to visualize these 3D ultrasonic data. Two conical transparent projections of the volume are computed from two slightly different viewpoints. These two projections make up the stereoscopic pair. This pair is displayed on a stereoscopic monitor for the visualization of the 3D data with the depth dimension.

The acquisition system and the method for computing the stereo-echograms were validated using an agar gel phantom. In vivo breast experiments were also performed.

Visualization of stereo-echographic projections improves the perception of depth and shape of breast tumours.