Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To construct a three-dimensional visualized model of the sacral nerve canal, and understand its structure and angles. METHODS: This was a retrospective study including 20 patients undergoing computerized tomography (CT) scanning of the sacrum. Consecutive CT images in Dicom format were directly imported into Mimics software. The images were edited selectively and repaired by hole procession. The sacral nerve canal was removed and a three-dimensional visualized model was acquired. The cylinder model was established to simulate axial images of the sacral nerve foramen. The angles of this cylinder in different conditions were measured and recorded. RESULTS: A three-dimensional visualized model of the sacral nerve canal was successfully constructed, by which the space occupied and course of the sacral nerve canal were directly displayed. The angle between the anterior and posterior sacral nerve canals in the left sacrum 1 was 94.10°±3.72°, while on the right side it was 93.21°±4.19°. The angles between the vertical line and the cross-sectional plane in axial position of the left and right sacral nerve foramens were 26.27°±3.75° and 26.66°±2.65°, respectively. The angles between the vertical line and the sagittal plane in axial position of the left and right sacral nerve foramens were 46.24°±4.24° and 47.74°±5.32°, respectively. No significant differences were found (all P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: A three-dimensional visualized model of the sacral nerve canal was established based on CT images using the Mimics software. This can reflect the morphologic features and course of the sacral nerve canal accurately, directly, and comprehensively.