RadioGraphics
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced]


     

This Article
Right arrow Figures Only
Right arrow Full Text
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Submit a response
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me when eLetters are posted
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow reprints & permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Dammann, F.
Right arrow Articles by Maassen, M. M.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Dammann, F.
Right arrow Articles by Maassen, M. M.
Related Collections
Right arrow Neuroradiology
Right arrow Computed Tomography
Right arrow Head and Neck
Right arrowRelated Article
(Radiographics. 2001;21:183-190.)
© RSNA, 2001

EDUCATION EXHIBIT

Computer-aided Surgical Planning for Implantation of Hearing Aids Based on CT Data in a VR Environment1

Florian Dammann, MD, Andreas Bode, MD, Erwin Schwaderer, MD, Michael Schaich, PhD, Martin Heuschmid, MD and Marcus M. Maassen, MD

1 From the Departments of Diagnostic Radiology (F.D., A.B., E.S., M.S., M.H.) and Otorhinolaryngology (M.M.M.), University Hospital Tübingen, Hoppe-Seyler-Strasse 3, D-72076 Tübingen, Germany. Presented as a scientific exhibit at the 1999 RSNA scientific assembly. Received May 8, 2000; revision requested June 12 and received July 24; accepted July 27. Address correspondence to F.D. (e-mail: florian.dammann@med.uni-tuebingen.de).

A study was undertaken to assess the feasibility of a preoperative fitting test for an implantable hearing aid in a virtual reality (VR) environment. High-resolution spiral computed tomography (CT) of the mastoid bone was performed, and the results of a mastoidectomy were simulated with manual segmentation on a standard medical workstation. CT was also performed on a temporal bone specimen obtained at real mastoidectomy, and the bone margins were segmented automatically with threshold-based techniques. A triangulated surface representation of the bone structures including the mastoid cavity was generated. These data as well as the computer-aided design (CAD) files of the medical devices were transferred into a VR environment. The CAD components of the hearing aid were manipulated to simulate the surgical implantation procedure. Merging CAD data of an implantable hearing aid with CT data of the temporal bone in a VR environment was shown to be a feasible method of providing three-dimensional information for the presurgical determination of fit and mountability. Advances in hardware and software are expected to improve the usability of this method. Although clinical studies are needed, these results may serve as an impetus for exploring the use of low-cost, widely available VR computer equipment in a potentially broad field of clinical applications.

Index Terms: Computed tomography (CT), computer programs • Computed tomography (CT), utilization, 213.456 • Computers, simulation Ear, anatomy, 21.92 • Ear, CT, 21.1211 • Ear, prostheses, 213.456 • Hearing loss


Related Article

Invited Commentary • Author's Response
Michael J. Dennis and Florian Dammann
RadioGraphics 2001 21: 190-191. [Full Text] [PDF]





HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
RADIOGRAPHICS RADIOLOGY RSNA JOURNALS ONLINE
Copyright © 2001 by the Radiological Society of North America.