Improving workflows of neuro-interventional procedures with autostereoscopic 3D visualization of multi-modality imaging in hybrid interventional suites

Recent developments in interventional neuroradiology techniques, medical imaging modalities, endovascular stenting and embolization materials lead to an increasing number of patients with cerebral aneurysms and arteriovenous malformations that are eligible for endovascular treatment and have opened new perspectives for novel ways for patient treatment in general. In this paper, we describe a software tool for 3D image fusion of multi-modal acquisitions to assist endovascular treatment of cerebral malformations. The software and an autostereoscopic 3D display were implemented and tested in clinical applications in a hybrid interventional suite that is used for radio-interventional as well as neurosurgical procedures. Our hypothesis is that fusion of image data acquired prior to intervention procedures with images acquired during those procedures should allow better visualizing and navigating through complex cerebral vasculature. This should also improve workflows of neuro-interventional procedures.

Preoperative and intra-operative acquisitions of vascular images of the brain were performed and transferred to a dedicated imaging workstation to be processed with our image fusion and visualization software tool. The tool was developed as a plugin extension to the open-source DICOM viewer OsiriX and is based on a modular and scalable architecture. Several processing modules were implemented to allow spatial co-registration and fusion of preoperative and intra-operative modalities. A special extension was also implemented for interactive autostereosopic, glass-free 3D visualization of fused results.

The software platform was validated and evaluated in nine in vivo procedures by expert users. All patient cases were related to interventional treatment of neuro-vascular diseases. The emphasis was laid on the added value of spatial co-registration and fusion of preoperative and intra-operative modalities, as well as the overall impact on workflow during the intervention. The co-registered and fused images were visualized on an autostereoscopic 3D monitor installed in hybrid interventional suite. All experiments were evaluated and scored by interventional physicians and technicians.

Displaying 3D–4D representations of brain vascular anomalies based on multi-modal acquisitions on a 3D autostereoscopic display is beneficial for the workflow and efficiency of interventional radiologists. The implemented software tool fulfills the premise of applicability of an open-source platform for more advanced, multi-modal visualization and processing of brain vascular structures for image-guided therapeutic interventions.