Importing DICOM images

1. Insert removable media (CD, DVD, flash drive, etc.).
2. Select Import Studies...from the Study Navigator on the main window.

3. The Browse For Folder window will pop-up. Select the folder you would like to import.

4. Select the folder and click OK to continue. A pop-up window will appear to show the progress of the file import.

Note: FiatLux Visualize provides a notification if the file type is not supported.

5. After the file import is complete, the study will be visible by selecting Today’s or Search in the Study Navigator.

Importing DICOM images from removable media

1. Insert the removable media such as a CD, DVD or memory card. Windows will prompt you for an action to take. Select View Study to start the import process.

2. After the file import is complete, the study will be visible by selecting Today’s or Search in the Study Navigator.

Setting Number of Slices to Load

1. Select Preferences... from the Study Navigator on the Main Window.

2. Select the Performance tab from the Visualize Preferences screen.

3. Select the Maximum Slices to Load.

Note: Although FiatLux Visualize can load a maximum of 512 images, the actual number is determined by the computer system specifications.

4. Select OK to close the Visualize Preference dialog.

Adjusting Rendering Quality

1. Select Preferences... from the Study Navigator on the Main Window.

2. Select the Performance tab from the Visualize Preferences screen.

3. Select the Rendering Quality.

Note: To optimize the response time of the volume rendering during rotation, reduce the quality.Once the rotation has stopped, the quality is once again maximized.

4. Select OK to close the Visualize Preference dialog.

Retaining Studies imported from removable media

1. Select Preferences... from the Study Navigator on the Main Window.

2. Select the Study Storage tab from the Visualize Preferences screen.

3. Check Retain removable media studies to save studies imported from removable media to your computer.
4. Select OK to close the Visualize Preference dialog.

Deleting Studies

1. Select Search from the Study Navigator on the main window. All studies are displayed on the right.

2. Right click on patient name or study.
3. Select Delete Patient or Delete Study.

Getting Started Video

As you manipulate and view images, you may want to document or save a specific view of an image.  You can take a Snapshot in any view port with these simple steps.  First, right mouse click on the image to show the menu.  Select View>Snapshot from the menu and the Save Snapshot dialog will be displayed.  From here, you need to locate and open a specific folder in which to save the image.  You can create a new folder with a specific patient’s name (ex. Smith, John) or a new folder such as “Presentation Snapshots” or “Show Images”.  In the File name box, enter the desired file name for example, “Left kidney measurement”.  In the Save as type box, select the type of file you would like to save.  You can save images as Window Bitmap Files (*.bmp), GIF (*.gif), JPEG (*.jpg), PNG (*.png), or TIFF (*.tif) with the default being JPEG.  Click the Save button to complete the process.  FiatLux Visualize can only save images to a non-DICOM file. Each snapshot will be labeled “Not for Diagnostic Use”.  The Snapshot is available in all viewing formats except Original/Source Images Study View.

Blood vessels in MR and CT Angiography data sets are best viewed as Maximum Intensity Projection (MIP) images. This method of reformation takes the brightest pixels in the image volume and projects them into the final MIP image. Since blood usually has a higher pixel intensity than other structures in the background, the blood vessels are displayed brighter than the background.

MIP image of large aneurysm in the brain (MR Angiography)

Original or source image from MR Angiography data set showing the large aneurysm.

Maximum Intensity Projection (MIP) images are used to view blood vessels in CT or MR data sets.  This method of reformation takes the brightest pixels in the image to display.  To create a MIP image, right mouse click in the Volume view port to show the menu.  Select Appearance>MIP from the menu to generate a MIP view. (Please note that the menu item is now changed to Undo MIP.)  You can click Appearance>Undo MIP to restore the image to Volume rendering.

Once the MIP image has been created, you can interactively rotate and view the image from any angle. This is useful in such cases to help determine the origin and location of the aneurysm.

Getting Started Volume Rendering

Case Study: Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

Date: 6/19/2007
Scanner Model Used: Siemens Sensation 16

Patient History: 
 A 90 year old male patient arrived at the Emergency Department with acute abdominal pain and a history of hypertension. The lab tests and x-rays are within limits, yet the pain is unresolved. An abdominal CT is done as the patient’s pain continues and is escalating.  

Results and Discussions:
The original images and multi-planar reconstruction (MPR) images show a large aneurysm with significant thrombus surrounding the patent portion of the aneurysm. 

A volume rendered image generated from the CT image data offers a 3D view of this large aneurysm. This three-dimensional view gives valuable information regarding the size and location of the aneurysm as well as information regarding the surrounding structures which can be used for treatment or surgical planning. A small amount of diffuse atherosclerotic plaque is also visualized along the aorta and iliac arteries.

Note:  The FiatLux Visualize User Manual should always be referenced as the primary description of product functionality and warnings.

FiatLux Imaging, Inc. is not responsible for any content herein, and in no way vouches for its accuracy or appropriateness. Content is intended to be used for educational and reference purposes only and precludes using the content for the diagnosis of disease or other conditions, or in the cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease, in humans or animals.

Case Study: CTA Aorta and Run-off

Date: May 8, 2008
Scanner Model Used: Siemens Sensation 16
Technique: After the administration of Isovue-300, 2 and 5 mm sections were acquired from T12 to the feet.

Patient History: 
Female patient, 77 years of age, with peripheral vascular disease. Patient has undergone previous interventional procedures for a femoral-femoral graft. Post-surgical clips/staples are present in the skin over the surgical sites.

Results and Discussions:
An infra-renal abdominal aortic aneurysm measuring roughly 53 mm with moderate thrombus is discovered. There is mild stenosis of the celiac and superior mesenteric artery origins with the inferior mesenteric artery occluded. There is high-grade stenosis involving the right common iliac artery and an occluded femoral-femoral artery bypass graft. The left common iliac artery is occluded at its origin.  Diffuse stenosis is seen throughout. 
Multiplanar reconstruction (MPR) images through the abdominal aortic aneurysm show the patent lumen within the thrombus. There is diffuse stenosis along the outer edge of the aneurysm.

Volume rendered (VR) images demonstrate the large aneurysm and it’s relation to other anatomical structures. The areas of occlusion and diffuse stenosis are seen through the peripheral vessels.

Note:  The FiatLux Visualize User Manual should always be referenced as the primary description of product functionality and warnings.

FiatLux Imaging, Inc. is not responsible for any content herein, and in no way vouches for its accuracy or appropriateness. Content is intended to be used for educational and reference purposes only and precludes using the content for the diagnosis of disease or other conditions, or in the cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease, in humans or animals.

What is a Multi-planar (MPR) image?

Multi-planar Reconstruction or MPR is a post-processing technique that reconstructs the axial images into coronal, sagittal, and oblique anatomical planes. This allows the data to be viewed in a different plane from which it was acquired. This is a common function used to view and evaluate CT and MR image data. For best results, a 3D or volume data acquisition from the MR or CT scanner is required.

Original image

MPR Axial / MPR Sagittal / MPR Coronal

Note:  The FiatLux Visualize User Manual should always be referenced as the primary description of product functionality and warnings.

What is a Volume Rendered (VR) image?

Volume rendering is an advanced and computer intensive 3D technique that incorporates the entire volume of image data rather than just surfaces or maximum intensity voxels. The 3D volume rendered images are generated by using an algorithm that sums the contribution of each voxel in the image data set along a line from the viewer’s perspective through the data set. Volume rendering is well suited to a wide range of medical visualization scenarios. Appropriate CT and MR image data can be displayed with varying levels of opacity, surface shading, and perspective in a 3D image to accentuate anatomic structures and pathologies.

CTA Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

CT Cervical Spine / Occipital Bone Fracture

Note:  The FiatLux Visualize User Manual should always be referenced as the primary description of product functionality and warnings.