A method and system are provided for effecting interactive,
three-dimensional renderings of selected body organs for purposes of
medical observation and diagnosis. A series of CT images of the selected
body organs are acquired. The series of CT images is stacked to form a
three-dimensional volume file. To facilitate interactive three-dimensional
rendering, the three-dimensional volume file may be subjected to an
optional dataset reduction procedure to reduce pixel resolution and/or to
divide the three-dimensional volume file into selected subvolumes. From a
selected volume or subvolume, the image of a selected body organ is
segmented or isolated. A wireframe model of the segmented organ image is
then generated to enable interactive, three-dimensional rendering of the
selected organ.
