The imaging process began with a CT angiogram of the abdomen and pelvis, providing a view of both the bone and vascular anatomy. Using 3D post-processing techniques, the 3DQ Lab generated rotational views of the pelvis, left femur, tibia, and fibula, clearly illustrating the complex fracture patterns (as shown below).
Additionally, a Maximum Intensity Projection (MIP) of the lower extremities was performed to assess blood flow through the arteries and detect any narrowing or vascular obstructions. The 3D Lab employed extensive segmentation efforts to enable clear MIP visualization without interference from bones or other dense structures. This was a significant technical challenge due to the proximity of vessel and bone pixels in the dataset and the presence of hematomas, where automated tools typically fall short, especially in trauma cases.
Identifying damaged or ruptured vessels is important because these areas may indicate internal bleeding or compromised blood flow. Ensuring proper circulation is vital to prevent further tissue damage and to minimize complications during surgery.
Figure B (Right): Rotational 3D reconstruction showing a brief view of the skin, muscle, and bone layers.
Below are the images the 3DQ Lab provided to the trauma team.
Figure C: The MIP clearly shows the lower extremity arteries on both sides, with no significant stenosis or obstructions, offering a clear view of blood flow from the pelvis to the legs.
Figure D: A 3D reconstruction of the pelvis shows a comminuted fracture of the right iliac wing with extension into the sacroiliac joint, and nearby vascular structures.
Figure E: A 3D reconstruction of the femur shows a severely comminuted fracture of the left femoral shaft with significant shortening, and nearby vascular structures.
Figure F: A 3D reconstruction illustrating the severely comminuted fractures of the tibia and fibula, and nearby vascular structures.
