CT image visualization: a conceptual introduction.

Computed tomography (CT) postprocessing produces information-rich diagnostic images, transforming enormous amounts of x-ray attenuation data into clinical information that can assist in diagnosis and treatment. This article briefly reviews the history of the technological evolution of CT imaging equipment and provides a conceptual overview of scan data visualization processes. Trends in and examples of image postprocessing, segmentation, registration and fusion techniques, and computer-aided detection are described. Finally, the uses of these visualization algorithms in selected diagnostic imaging applications are discussed.