An Interactive 3D-Atlas of Acetabular Fractures

Diagnosis of often complex-shaped acetabular fractures requires excellent spatial imagination by the traumatologist if he relies only on 2D-imaging techniques like radiographs or computed tomography. Linking these techniques with 3D-views of the fracture helps to understand how a three-dimensional situation appears in 2D. Based on our VOXEL-MAN visualization system, we developed a complete 3D-model to describe the anatomy and pathology of standard cases of acetabular fractures. This model allows to derive 3D- views at the user’s will. Manipulation of the model like adding or removing objects, dissection, rotation, or zooming is feasible and allows an individual way of learning. Working on such a model bears the possibility to simulate radiographs or to reconstruct CT-slices which contain all the anatomical or pathological knowledge necessary to understand the images. The system proves to be powerful both in education and as clinical reference.