OBJECTIVETo establish the three-dimensional (3D) visible models of the anatomical structures of the anterior approach to the upper thoracic spine (UTS) for anatomic study and preoperative planning of the UTS.

METHODSSectional images from the superior margin of the first thoracic vertebral body to the inferior margin of the fifth thoracic vertebral body were acquired through the Chinese Visible Human Female (VCHF) database which was collected by the Third Military Medical University. These images were imported into Photoshop CS, cut automatically and converted into a JPEG format. Surface and volume reconstruction were performed by 3D Doctor 3.5 and Amira 4.0 software programs on an ordinary personal computer respectively.

RESULTSThe surface reconstruction model could be rotated at any angle and observed from any direction. And the reconstructed structures of the anterior approach to the UTS could be displayed individually or as a composite with any other selected structure. The volume reconstruction displayed abundant internal details of the reconstructed images in transverse, coronal, sagittal, and random oblique sections.

CONCLUSIONThree-dimensional visible models of the anatomical structures of the anterior approach to the UTS based on the sectional images of VCHF can clearly display the morphology, spatial orientation and adjacent relationship of every structure. These models are very helpful to the anatomy study and preoperative planning of this complex anatomic region.