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Three-Dimensional Spine Reconstruction
from Radiographs
Samuel Kadoury
Abstract For several musculoskeletal pathologies, single radiographic images do
not offer the necessary information to portray the actual three-dimensional (3D)
representation of the spine in order to assess effects such as intrinsic vertebral
rotation, inter-vertebral disc wedging, spine torsion or dislocations. This limits the
scope of routine diagnostic, follow-up exams, and treatment planning. Volumetric
imaging modalities such as CT or MRI are on the other hand limited due to the fact
that they cannot be acquired in the standing position, which is required for evaluation
of posture. Biplanar radiography is still the imaging modality that is most frequently
used for the 3D clinical assessment of spinal deformities. In this chapter, we present
the different techniques involved for obtaining the 3D reconstruction of a spine using
biplanar radiographs. First, we present different approaches (linear and non-linear)
for calibrating the radiographic scene in order to con
gure the proper 2D-3D spatial
relationship. Once the stereo-radiographic system is calibrated, anatomical land-
marks or vertebral shapes constituting the spine can be identi
ed on the radiographic
images using manual identification or automated tools. Finally, using these high-
level primitives located in an accurate calibrated system, a spine model can be
reconstructed in 3D using a number of correspondence methods. For selected
applications using reconstructed 3D spine models, we show how these techniques
can help to better understand spinal pathologies such as idiopathic scoliosis, which is
inherently a three-dimensional deformation of the spine.
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