Three-dimensional gray scale volume rendering of the liver: preliminary clinical experience.

Objective: To investigate the potential clinical usefulness of three-dimensional gray scale volume rendering in the liver.

Methods: Sixty-two patients were enrolled in the study and categorized into 2 groups: group I with ascites and group II without. Two types of volume-rendering modes, i.e., surface and transparent, were used to obtain the three-dimensional images. The data were reviewed to identify the differences between two- and three-dimensional images of the liver in each subject.

Results: In group I, three-dimensional sonography was superior to two-dimensional sonography in terms of surface features, edges, overall three-dimensional impression, image clarity, and structural relationships. However, it seemed that three-dimensional sonography in the surface mode was inferior to two-dimensional sonography in showing intrahepatic structures, because it had decreased resolution. In group II, three-dimensional sonography was superior to two-dimensional sonography with respect to the continuity of intrahepatic vessels, overall three-dimensional impression of the vessels, image clarity, and the relationship between lesions and neighboring vessels. However, the resolution of the lesions was decreased in 7 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Conclusions: Our experience suggests that three-dimensional gray scale volume rendering of the liver provides more diagnostic information than two-dimensional sonography; however, further studies are needed to evaluate its clinical importance.