The 3D CT images has been gaining more popularity because of many advantages including the three dimensional reconstruction, the measurement of distance and angulation of the anatomic structures, the three dimensional analysis of deformed faces, the p...
The 3D CT images has been gaining more popularity because of many advantages including the three dimensional reconstruction, the measurement of distance and angulation of the anatomic structures, the three dimensional analysis of deformed faces, the prediction of skeletal structure after virtual operation and the comparison of pre- and post-operative skeletal changes. Therefore, despite the disadvantages including high cost and high radiation dose, the 3D CT imaging is beginning to play on important for the analysis and the treatment planning for the craniofacial deformities. Authors have already been doing the 3D CT analysis with a few reference planes. However these reference planes and points used in the 3D CT analysis are different from one author to another and yet have not been verified. Moreover, there is no standardized 3D CT analysis and method for establishing reference planes. Therefore, there are many difficulties in clinical application of the 3D CT. Here I have confirmed several possible mid-sagittal reference planes for the selection of standard mid-sagittal plane, after verification of the magnification of the 3D CT images and the reproducibility of pointing the reference points with the 3D CT of dry skulls and normal individuals. The obtained results are;1. Some of the reliable reference points in the mid-sagittal plane, with the least distance and angulation from other median points and planes, were N'', FC, Ba, S, cOC, Opi in the 3D CT of dry skulls and normal adults. 2. The FC-S-Ba plane showed the most accurate, reliable, and applicable reference plane for normal individuals as well as for dry skulls, considering the pointing error and the distance and angulation from other median points and planes.3. The magnification rate of the 3D CT images, as compared with actual measurement from the dry skulls, was 100.68 % with 1.43mm of mean error.4. The reproducibility of pointing the candidate points was excellent at N'', FC, Opi, Ba and FS.