Photo-Stacking Technique for Neuroanatomical High-Definition Photography and 3-Dimensional Modeling

-BACKGROUND: Three-dimensional (3D) neuroanatom-ical knowledge is vital in neurosurgery. Technological advances improved 3D anatomical perception, but they are usually expensive and not widely available. The aim of the present study was to provide a detailed description of the photo-stacking technique for high-resolution neuroanatomical photography and 3D modeling. -METHODS: The photo-stacking technique was described in a step-by-step approach. The time for image acquisition, file conversion, processing, and final production was measured using 2 processing methods. The total number and file size of images are presented. Measures of central ten-dency and dispersion report the measured values. -RESULTS: Ten models were used in both methods achieving 20 models with high-definition images. The mean -umber of acquired images was 40.6 (14e67), image acquisition time 51.50 +/- 18.8 s, file conversion time 250 +/- 134.6 s, processing time 50.46 +/- 21.46 s and 41.97 +/- 20.84 s, and 3D reconstruction time was 4.29 +/- 0.74 s and 3.89 +/- 0.60 s for methods B and C, respectively. The mean file size of RAW files is 1010 +/- 452 megabyte (MB) and 101.06 +/- 38.09 MB for Joint Photographic Experts Group files after conversion. The mean size of the final image means size is 71.9 +/- 0.126 MB, and the mean file size of the 3D model means is 37.4 +/- 0.516 MB for both methods. The total equipment used was less expensive than other reported systems. -CONCLUSIONS: The photo-stacking technique is a sim-ple and inexpensive method to create 3D models and high-definition images that could prove valuable in neuro-anatomy training.