Wieslaw L Nowinski1, Thant Shoon Let Thaung2, Beng Choon Chua2, Su Hnin Wut Yi2, Vincent Ngai2, Yili Yang2, Robert Chrzan3, Andrzej Urbanik3. 1. Biomedical Imaging Lab, Agency for Science Technology and Research (ASTAR), Singapore; Department of Radiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA. Electronic address: wieslaw@sbic.a-star.edu.sg. 2. Biomedical Imaging Lab, Agency for Science Technology and Research (ASTAR), Singapore. 3. Department of Radiology, Jagiellonian University Medical Center, Cracow, Poland.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Although the adult human skull is a complex and multifunctional structure, its 3D, complete, realistic, and stereotactic atlas has not yet been created. This work addresses the construction of a 3D interactive atlas of the adult human skull spatially correlated with the brain, cranial nerves, and intracranial vasculature. NEW METHOD: The process of atlas construction included computed tomography (CT) high-resolution scan acquisition, skull extraction, skull parcellation, 3D disarticulated bone surface modeling, 3D model simplification, brain-skull registration, 3D surface editing, 3D surface naming and color-coding, integration of the CT-derived 3D bony models with the existing brain atlas, and validation. RESULTS: The virtual skull model created is complete with all 29 bones, including the auditory ossicles (being among the smallest bones). It contains all typical bony features and landmarks. COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHOD(S): The created skull model is superior to the existing skull models in terms of completeness, realism, and integration with the brain along with blood vessels and cranial nerves. CONCLUSIONS: This skull atlas is valuable for medical students and residents to easily get familiarized with the skull and surrounding anatomy with a few clicks. The atlas is also useful for educators to prepare teaching materials. It may potentially serve as a reference aid in the reading and operating rooms.
BACKGROUND: Although the adult human skull is a complex and multifunctional structure, its 3D, complete, realistic, and stereotactic atlas has not yet been created. This work addresses the construction of a 3D interactive atlas of the adult human skull spatially correlated with the brain, cranial nerves, and intracranial vasculature. NEW METHOD: The process of atlas construction included computed tomography (CT) high-resolution scan acquisition, skull extraction, skull parcellation, 3D disarticulated bone surface modeling, 3D model simplification, brain-skull registration, 3D surface editing, 3D surface naming and color-coding, integration of the CT-derived 3D bony models with the existing brain atlas, and validation. RESULTS: The virtual skull model created is complete with all 29 bones, including the auditory ossicles (being among the smallest bones). It contains all typical bony features and landmarks. COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHOD(S): The created skull model is superior to the existing skull models in terms of completeness, realism, and integration with the brain along with blood vessels and cranial nerves. CONCLUSIONS: This skull atlas is valuable for medical students and residents to easily get familiarized with the skull and surrounding anatomy with a few clicks. The atlas is also useful for educators to prepare teaching materials. It may potentially serve as a reference aid in the reading and operating rooms.
Authors: Wieslaw L Nowinski; Thant Shoon Let Thaung; Beng Choon Chua; Su Hnin Wut Yi; Yili Yang; Andrzej Urbanik Journal: Neuroradiol J Date: 2015-04-13
Authors: Miguel Marigil; Naiara Martinez-Velez; Pablo D Domínguez; Miguel Angel Idoate; Enric Xipell; Ana Patiño-García; Marisol Gonzalez-Huarriz; Marc García-Moure; Marie-Pierre Junier; Hervé Chneiweiss; Elías El-Habr; Ricardo Diez-Valle; Sonia Tejada-Solís; Marta M Alonso Journal: PLoS One Date: 2017-01-20 Impact factor: 3.240