An autostereoscopic 3D display can improve visualization of 3D models from intracranial MR angiography

Purpose An autostereoscopic display with image quality comparable to ordinary 2D displays has recently been developed. The purpose of our study was to evaluate whether the visualization of static 3D models from intracranial time-of-flight (TOF) MR angiography (MRA) was improved by this display. Methods Maximum Intensity Projection (MIP) and Volume Rendering (VR) 3D models of intracranial arteries were created from ten TOF MRA datasets. Thirty-one clinically relevant intracranial arterial segments were marked in the TOF source images. A total of 217 markings were used. The markings were displayed in the 3D models as overlying red dots. Three neuroradiologists viewed the static 3D models on the autostereoscopic display, with the display operating either in autostereoscopic mode or in 2D mode. The task of the neuroradiologists was to correctly identify the marked artery. A paired comparison was made between arterial identification in autostereoscopic and 2D display mode. Results In 314 MIP 3D models, 233 arterial markings (74%) were correctly identified with the display operating in autostereoscopic mode versus 179 (57%) in 2D mode. Odds ratio for correct identification with autostereoscopic mode versus 2D mode was 2.17 (95% confidence interval 1.55-3.04, P < 0.001). In 337 VR 3D models, 256 markings (76%) were correctly identified using autostereoscopic mode and 229 (68%) using 2D mode (odds ratio 1.49, 95% confidence interval 1.06-2.09, P = 0.021). Conclusion The visualization of intracranial arteries in static 3D models from TOF MRA can be improved by the use of an autostereoscopic display.