Establishment Of Virtual Three-dimensional Cerebral Aneurysm Model: Initial Experience Of Clinical Application

Objective To establish a virtual three-dimensional cerebral aneurysm(CA) model by software method, and to investigate the applied value of the model in clinical teaching, angiography and interventional therapy. Materials and Methods A retrospective analysis including 20 cases of normal cerebral DSA image and 216 cases of cerebral aneurysms DSA image were conducted. In the normal group, cases of typical DSA appearance were selected as the original for establishing virtual cerebral arterial system. In the CA group, according to the location of development, the direction of growth and the feature of appearance of aneurysms, one case of each kind of the typical aneurysmal DSA appearance was selected as the original for establishing virtual cerebral aneurysms. The virtual model including the cerebral arterial system and aneurysms were established respectively by using the three-dimensional moulding software of 3D Studio MAX R3. The effect maps including the anteroposterior view, the lateral view and the top view were rendered to contrast with the DSA image. In the virtual environment of computer, the simulation of clinical teaching was conducted to display thethree-dimensional appearance and the spatial relation of the cerebral arterial system and the aneurysmal shape. In addition, the simulation of the optimal showing angle of the aneurysmal shape and neck was conducted at the different location of development and direction of growth. Results ?Compared with the DSA image, the virtual cerebral arteries possessed the similarity in appearance, and had an advantage to understand the three-dimensional spatial relation in visual sensation. ?Compared with the DSA image, the virtual cerebral aneurysms could display the location of development, the direction of growth and the feature of appearance correctly. (3) The virtual model could help learner to create and improve the three-dimensional spatial concept of both cerebral arteries and aneurysms in clinical teaching. (4) The virtual model could provide the guidance in angiography and interventional therapy according to the simulation of the optimal showing angle of the aneurysmal shape and neck. Conclusion The virtual three-dimensional cerebral aneurysm model that was established by the software method could display the three-dimensional spatial relation of the cerebral arterial system and aneurysmal shape distinctly, and would be useful in assisting morphology study and guiding clinical work.