Three dimensional volume rendering approach of the akle: a morphological analysis

The new frontiers in diagnostic imaging offer the possibility of visualizing anatomical structures in 3D by means of high quality images, allowing to compare them with others obtained with the studies on corpses, without the unavoidable limits derived from the use of resins or chemical products emplycd in dissection room for fixing the tissues. The use of such techniques permit to evaluate integrity of bone structures, fat tissues, connective tissues, ligaments and articulation comparing these results with pathological conditions. Furthermore these techniques offer the advantage of using not invasive procedures, allowing rcpeated assessments that can be performed over time in the study of in vivo evaluation of the ankle and its articular relationships. In our report twentyfive volunteer subjects, 11 female and 14 male were scanner, their age range was 18-35 years, median age 26 years. All the subjects gave their consent for the scanning procedure, The criterion of the inclusion in the research were normal IQ, sport practise and no referred inferior limbs injuries. An experienced radiologist examined the MR images, The patients underwent MRI of the ankle using a Siemens Sonata Magna of 1.5 Tesla (Magnetom Sonata, Siemens, Erlangen, Germany). For examination of the cartilage we used Sonata Siemens Magnet, obtaiaing 3D DESS (three-dimensional double-echo steady state) sequences, Sagittal, coronal, transverse and oblique coronal multiplanar reconstruction images were reformatted from MRI. Our results showed the real anatomical morphology of ankle, evidencing bone structures, ligaments, muscles and vessels. Beside we are able to show structures inner at the joint, as the articular cartilage, In particular, we have evidenced some ankle articular structurcs, highlighting their relationships with other surrounding anatomical structures, clearly differentiating them. In the future, with the evolution of com¬puter hardware and software, and with the adaptation of color, opacity, depth, weight parameters of the images, we will be able to provide highcr quality descriptive details. In conclusion our aim is to develop a visualization process that provides as much information as possible, with the help of ever more sophisticated hardware and software, opening numerous prospectives in didactic, diagoostic, therapeutic, and scientific fields.