Three-dimensional computed tomography reconstruction in the era of digital personalized medicine

Abstract

The radiological evaluation of anatomical structures is a fundamental part of the diagnostic and therapeutic workup in modern medicine. Since the discovery of X-rays by Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen in 1895, the medical community has added to its arsenal of instruments capable of evaluating the interior of the human body non-invasively. 1 Each development being safer and more efficient radiological exams became capable of identifying, isolating, and analyzing-with high realism-the anatomy and functionality of organs, gaining popularity at almost the same rate at which they evolved. 2Computational imaging tests, most notably computed tomography (CT), have contributed significantly to the spread of image-based medicine. Since its invention in 1972 by Cormack and Hounsfield, the quality of tomographic images has progressed exponentially, driven by advances in informatics and computing science. 3 The final product of a CT scan depends less on human influence in the image acquisition, and well-established protocols can be executed by professionals with a technical level to obtain adequate results. Unlike ultrasound examinations, which require a trained medical professional to perform an evaluation in real-time, tomographic images can be stored and evaluated by multiple professionals without limitations in terms of time or physical access to the patient. This quality facilitated its dissemination and allowed physicians from different areas and without previous in-depth radiology training, through repeated contact, to perform evaluations efficiently. However, its detailed analysis still lacks specialized workstations that allow the visualization of two-dimensional images in multiple planes, advanced contrast manipulation, image suppression techniques, and specific training in the field of medical radiology.