Three-dimensional reconstruction of the carpus and its vasculature: an anatomic study.

Three-dimensional reconstructions of the carpus have been assembled from tomographic data of anatomic specimens after vascular injection with resin polymer of a density similar to that of bone. We have been able to produce three-dimensional reconstruction of the relationship between carpal bones and their vasculature. Fine tomographic slicing, on the order of 1 mm, has yielded sharp definition of bone structure, particularly of the entry points of nutrient vessels. The use of a very fluid synthetic resin has made possible the definition of vessels of fine caliber. A computerized program of three-dimensional reconstruction was used to obtain a series of views spaced at 10 to 20 degrees at predetermined right-angled axes. This has provided a precise matching of vessels with their corresponding points of bony penetration. This new method of imaging has enabled us to describe the entire vasculature of the bones of the carpus. The technique enjoys a number of advantages over conventional methods of study of carpal vasculature. In practice, the various known methods of arteriographic and digital angiographic examination do not have the same high definition and are unable to eliminate the effect of superimposition of views. In addition, the dissections are difficult and are likely to produce significant artifact. Corrosion techniques are elegant, but they are time-consuming, delicate procedures if selective isolation of bone and vasculature is required.