Surgical planning using three-dimensional imaging and computer modeling.

The acquisition, processing, and use of three-dimensional (3D) imaging provide new insights into normal and abnormal craniofacial anatomy. In this article, characteristics of CT and MRI scanning are reviewed along with the methods used to delineate tissues and produce 3D patient displays, including contouring, shaded surface, and volumetric processing. The use of 3D model fabrication for surgical planning is discussed with examples of the production of a custom CT-based auricle model and the use of rapid prototyping technology to create models for custom alloplastic implant surgery. The review concludes with some speculation about the future of 3D medical imaging as it will influence surgical training and practice over the coming decades.