On the Relations Between 2D and 3D Fractal Dimensions: Theoretical Approach and Clinical Application in Bone Imaging

The inner knowledge of volumes from images is an ancient problem. This question becomes complicated when it concerns quantization, as the case of any measurement and in particular the calculation of fractal dimensions. Trabecular bone tissues have, like many natural elements, an architecture which shows a fractal aspect. Many studies have already been developed according to this approach. The question which arises however is to know to which extent it is possible to get an exact determination of the fractal dimension of a given volume only from the fractal measurement made on the projections or slice images given by medical imaging. This paper gives general results about the Minkowski dimensions and contents of projections and sections of a set. We also show with examples that they depend essentially on the directions of the planes and so there is in general case no relation between 3D and 2D fractal dimensions. This consideration is then illustrated with examples from synthetic models and from CT scan images of wrists. In conclusion, this study reveals that the quantitative characterization of an organic volume (in particular osseous) requires taking into account the whole volume, and not only some of its slices or projections.