Volumetric analysis and three dimensional reconstruction of the human orbit from serial tomographic cross sections

In order to gain quantitative information regarding the clinical status of the human orbit in different states of injury or disease, a system is developed to compute the orbital volume and surface area from serial tomographic cross sections. The system can also perform three-dimensional reconstructions of the human orbit from the input data. Fracture patients were examined with the instrument. The results indicate that diagnostic procedures can be indicated by the volumetric comparison of orbits in different diseased states. The cubic spline algorithm for the determination of orbital volumes is shown to be superior to previously used techniques. The system is user friendly and can provide accurate measurement of orbital volumes and surface area to 4% in 15 min or less. Three-dimensional reconstructions of the orbit are useful for the surgeon to visualize tumors, fractures and other orbital anomalies