OBJECTIVETo investigate the value of virtual imaging technique in diagnosis of intracranial aneurysms.

METHODSFifty-four cases of 54 intracranial aneurysm diagnosed by three-dimensional CT angiography (3D-CTA) examinations were enrolled in this study. Three-dimensional virtual images of the skull and cerebral vessels were acquired by three-dimensional reconstruction of the original CT images using the surgical planning system, and the location, size and shape of the aneurysms and their anatomical relationship with the adjacent tissues were observed and measured from several angles. All the patients underwent surgical planning and simulated surgical operations using the virtual surgical instruments available in the system.

RESULTSAll the 54 cases had successful three-dimensional virtual image reconstruction and the surgical planning operations. The virtual imaging system generated clear and vivid three-dimensional virtual images which clearly visualized the location and size of the aneurysms and their precise anatomical relations to the parent arteries and skull. This virtual reality imaging system also allowed simulation of simple surgical procedures.

CONCLUSIONThe surgical planning system based on the virtual reality imaging can serve as a useful means to assist the diagnosis and provide precise imaging details of intracranial aneurysms.