Role of Weighted Maximum Intensity Projection with MDCT in the Diagnosis of Skull Fractures

• Published in: Japanese Journal of Radiological Technology Vol. 65; no. 8; pp. 1055 - 1063
• Main Authors: Fukunaga, Tateya, Minakuchi, Kiyomi, Yamamoto, Kouji, Maeda, Tomonori, Yamanaka, Kozue, Niijima, Takashi, Mokudai, Toshihiko
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Japanese
• Published: Japan Japanese Society of Radiological Technology 20.08.2009
• Subjects: Aged; Humans; Imaging, Three-Dimensional; Male; Middle Aged; multi-detector-row CT (MDCT); Phantoms, Imaging; ray summation (RaySum); skull fracture; Skull Fractures - diagnostic imaging; Tomography, X-Ray Computed - methods; volume rendering (VR); weighted maximum intensity projection (Weighted MIP)
• ISSN: 0369-4305; 1881-4883
• DOI: 10.6009/jjrt.65.1055

The method of image processing has increased along with the workstation in recent years and developments in the software of each modality. Maximum intensity projection (MIP) and volume rendering (VR) are among the general processing methods used. However, MIP and VR have their respective limitations. MIP does not have in-depth information, and in VR the final image depends on threshold processing. In comparison with MIP/VR, Weighted MIP can obtain in-depth information. The processing method is also easy and is used in the pre-operative simulation of neurosurgical craniotomy. In this study, we examined the effect of Weighted MIP on a phantom and in 7 cases of skull fracture by using multi-detector-row computed tomography. In the phantom study, Weighted MIP provided three-dimensional imaging in all the processing methods for skull fractures. Weighted MIP depicted the entire fracture line in a clinical study, and it was effective in all of the 7 skull fracture cases. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that Weighted MIP with depth information was effective in the fracture line detection of skull fracture.