3D anatomical modelling and analysis of the spine

Purpose: This work proposes 3D modelling and patient-specific analysis of the spine by integrating information on the tissues with geometric information on the spine morphology. Methods: The paper addresses the extraction of 3D patient-specific models of each vertebra and the intervertebral space from 3D CT images, the segmentation of each vertebra in its three functional regions, and the analysis of the tissue condition in the functional regions based on geometrical parameters. Results: Main results are the localisation, visualisation, quantitative, and qualitative analysis of possible damages for surgery planning and early diagnosis or follow-up studies. Conclusions: The framework properties are discussed in terms of the spine’s morphology and pathologies on the spine district’s benchmarks.