3D synergistic imaging as an aid to image interpretation and surgical planning

The authors have developed four applications where registration of images from different modalities provides opportunities for synergism. By combining NR and SPECT images of the brain, it is possible to locate functional abnormalities indicated by SPECT with respect to the anatomy imaged by MR. This may provide opportunities for more precise surgery of functional lesions which are not visible in MR (such as certain types of epilepsy). The combination of MR and SPECT images of the heart enables heart function to be related to heart anatomy. Combining MR and CT images of the skull base region enables surgeons to more accurately relate bony anatomy visible in CT with soft tissue features most clearly visible in MR images, and hence aids planning of complicated surgical procedures such as transtemporal resections. Combining 3D reconstructions of blood vessels with MR soft tissue images provides surgeons with accurate information about the position of blood vessels, and hence may enable mortality and morbidity caused by accidental damage to blood vessels to be reduced