Clinical usefulness of two-dimensional reformatted and three-dimensionally rendered computerized tomographic images: literature review and a survey of surgeons' opinions.

Purpose: This study compares the usefulness of axial computed tomography (CT) with two-dimensional (2D) reformats and three-dimensionally (3D) rendered CT data in the treatment planning and management of patients.

Patients And Methods: Twenty-nine patients who had been studied with CT were grouped into the following four clinical problems: 1) temporomandibular joint assessment (n = 8), 2) growth and development assessment (n = 4), 3) posttrauma and postoperative assessment (n = 13), 4) "other" (n = 4). The clinicians who treated these patients were surveyed for their opinions of the usefulness of CT with and without 2D/3D reformatting.

Results: In a majority of the cases within each of the four clinical groups, the clinicians believed that 2D and/or 3D reformatting of the CT data provided additional useful information for patient management. In most of the cases, 3D imaging provided information in addition to that provided by the axial or reformatted 2D images.

Conclusion: 2D and 3D CT images can be useful to the clinician in diagnosis and treatment planning. These methods enhance the accuracy of diagnostic decisions and the establishment of appropriate treatment plans.