Confocal volume rendering of the thorax

Abstract

Confocal volume rendering is a recently described technique to perform segmentation-free rendering. It can be combined with other post-processing techniques to yield images with desirable features such as improved visualization of surface detail and reduced clipping of important anatomy. We show the first application (to our knowledge) of confocal volume rendering to imaging of the thorax. We demonstrate how confocal volume rendering can be used to reveal intrathoracic airways and lung masses.