A system and method for utilizing a spatial three-dimensional display unit with a medical diagnostic imaging system is disclosed. The medical diagnostic imaging system may be a picture archival communication system. The system may include at least one two-dimensional display unit and an additional spatial three-dimensional display unit. Accordingly a user may view two and three-dimensional images of similar anatomical objects. The two and three-dimensional images may be linked, providing the user with a consistent viewing angle. The system may be used to review a surgical path. The display parameters of a first three-dimensional data set may be mapped to a second three-dimensional data set. The surgical path of the first data set and the second data set may be displayed on spatial display units. Accordingly, the anatomical objects along the surgical path may be viewed at different points in time, for example prior to surgery and after surgery.