[3D CT of fractures: comparison of volume and surface reconstruction].

Purpose: The comparison of volume rendering (VR) and surface rendering (SSD) for demonstrating fractures from spiral-CT data.

Materials And Methods: Standardized VR and SSD projections were produced from 50 spiral CT scans of 50 consecutive patients with fractures. Appropriate multiplanar reformattings (MPR) were used as the standard.

Results: SSD provided sufficient information in 31/50 cases. Results of VR were not significantly different (33/50). VR was superior in demonstrating 6/7 craniofacial fractures and 3/3 calcaneal fractures. SSD was superior for visualizing 2/3 shoulder fractures and 2/2 elbow fractures.

Conclusion: VR is a flexible technique for the depiction of fractures and the assessment of spongiosa and articular surfaces at one setting. SSD is superior in the delineation of small dislocated fragments.