New aspects in spinal diagnostics with 3-D computed tomography.

Three-dimensional imaging in computer tomography (3-D CT) has been rendered feasible by the development of special software programs. On the basis of the data from 50 spinal CTs, 3-D reformations are made. The method has proved effective especially in complicated vertebral fractures. There are regular correlations between the plane of the fracture and the choice of the axis of rotation as well as the nature of the reformations. A 3-D reformation is frequently more appropriate than a coronary or a sagittal 2-D reformation. In destructions of vertebrae due to tumors, the extent of bone destruction and the altered position of the vertebrae in relation to each other can be imaged. 3-D computer tomograms do not provide fundamentally new diagnostic information, but the understanding of pathological topography is improved.