A preliminary performance evaluation of 3D facial image reconstruction from computed tomography scan
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Abstract
Background: As a result of all kinds of disasters, people might be injured or killed. Most people could not be able to identify their family members dying in disasters. 3D facial image reconstruction from skull could narrow down the recognition of the faces from their family or close friends.
Objectives: The purpose of this preliminary study is to receive facial soft tissue thickness for forming a preliminary database and to create a 3D facial image reconstruction from Thai people.
Materials and methods: 3D facial image reconstruction based on facial soft tissue thickness data and paranasal sinuses CT scan images from Thai people was studied. Firstly, 15 anatomical facial landmarks to form a facial soft tissue thickness data were collected from Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai hospital CT scan database, 45 cases were used (22 males and 23 females). A 3D skull model matrix from CT scan DICOM files was then generated. Finally, the 3D facial soft tissue model matrix was combined with the 3D skull model matrix to create a 3D facial image reconstruction.
Results: The result showed Thai male facial soft tissue was thicker than the female at mid-philtrum and rhinion, respectively. Median values of 15 landmarks were used to create a 3D facial skin on a 3D skull. The random survey of 100 people showed 11% matched a 3D facial image reconstruction with a real 3D face of that skull.
Conclusion: The results also revealed that some people could recognize the real faces from the 3D facial images through facial soft tissue on the skull without any facial organs such as eyes, nose, or lips. It is suggested that facial soft tissue sampling and other facial organ studies could be helpful to create a big database for rebuilding more perfectly facial reconstruction in Thai people.
Article Details
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Personal views expressed by the contributors in their articles are not necessarily those of the Journal of Associated Medical Sciences, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University.
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