Faces play a key role in revealing the personalized attributes such as the identity, emotion, health condition, etc. Due to the importance of faces, computer-assisted face modeling and reconstruction have been actively studied both in computer vision and graphics community. Especially, face reconstruction and realistic face synthesis are well-grounded research problems and various approaches have been proposed during the last decade. In this paper, we discuss a wide range of existing work in face modeling by introducing their target applications, categorizing them upon their methodology and addressing their strength and weakness on performance. Finally, we introduce remaining research issues and suggest the future research direction in face modeling. We believe that this paper provides a high-level overview on face modeling techniques and helps understand the major research issues and the trends of methodology.

Virtual Reality makes a virtual environment more realistic and, furthermore, it provides a variety of experiences which we cannot have in reality. A drastic growth of GPU performance and increase of computing capability make virtual environment more realistic than ever. One important element of constructing virtual environment is to animate 3D characters. Many researchers have been studying 3D characters animating and a myriad of methods have been proposed to make them more realistic. In this paper, we discuss the technologies and characteristics of 3D character animation. We believe that realistic characters in Virtual Reality will be applied to various fields: education, film and game industry, business and, particularly, medical area such as telemedicine, virtual surgery, etc.

Image-guided neurosurgery (IGN) is a technique for localizing objects of surgical interest within the brain. In the past, its main use was placement of electrodes; however, the advent of computed tomography has led to a rebirth of IGN. Advances in computing techniques and neuroimaging tools allow improved surgical planning and intraoperative information. IGN influences many neurosurgical fields including neuro-oncology, functional disease, and radiosurgery. As development continues, several problems remain to be solved. This article provides a general overview of IGN with a brief discussion of future directions.

Purpose : In this paper we proposed cascade feature filter and projection method for rapid human face recognition for the large-scale high-dimensional face database. Materials and Methods : The relevant features are selected from the large feature set using Fast Correlation-Based Filter method. After feature selection, project them into discriminant using Principal Component Analysis or Linear Discriminant Analysis. Their cascade method reduces the time-complexity without significant degradation of the performance. Results : In our experiments, the ORL database and the extended Yale face database b were used for evaluation. On the ORL database, the processing time was approximately 30-times faster than typical approach with recognition rate 94.22% and on the extended Yale face database b, the processing time was approximately 300-times faster than typical approach with recognition rate 98.74 %. Conclusion : The recognition rate and time-complexity of the proposed method is suitable for real-time face recognition system on the large-scale high-dimensional face database.

We propose an automatic vessel segmentation method of vertebral arteries in CT angiography using combined circular and cylindrical model fitting. First, to generate multi-segmented volumes, whole volume is automatically divided into four segments by anatomical properties of bone structures along z-axis of head and neck. To define an optimal volume circumscribing vertebral arteries, anterior-posterior bounding and side boundaries are defined as initial extracted vessel region. Second, the initial vessel candidates are tracked using circular model fitting. Since boundaries of the vertebral arteries are ambiguous in case the arteries pass through the transverse foramen in the cervical vertebra, the circle model is extended along z-axis to cylinder model for considering additional vessel information of neighboring slices. Finally, the boundaries of the vertebral arteries are detected using graph-cut optimization. From the experiments, the proposed method provides accurate results without bone artifacts and eroded vessels in the cervical vertebra.

To overcome limitations of conventional diagnosis and planning for orthognathic surgery, surgeons have begun to use 3-dimensional (3D) virtual simulation to plan complex orthognathic surgery. In many literatures, it has shown that better surgical outcome achieved with 3D virtual simulation than that with conventional methods. But, there is still lack of data about accuracy of maxillary segmental surgery with 3D virtual simulation. The purpose of this paper was to report the case of maxillary segmental orthognathic surgery with 3D virtual simulation and to assess the actual surgical outcome. Though the result was clinically acceptable, discrepancy between 3D simulation and actual surgery was not superior compared with conventional method. The accuracy of 3D simulation surgery and intermediate wafer fabrication for maxillary segmental surgery needs to be improved. Advancement in 3D software program and careful surgical technique will make it more precise and reliable method.

One of the most serious complications after head and neck radiation is osteoradionecrosis (ORN) of the jaw. The etiology of ORN is extraction, minor dental procedure or dental implant surgery. When ORN of the jaw progressed to stage III, free fibular flap is the most useful methods for reconstruction. In this case report, a 67-year-old ORN patient who underwent fibular free flap reconstruction using simulation surgery with 3-dimensional rapid prototype (3D RP) model was reviewed. After partial mandibulectomy, a osteocutaneous fibula flap was used for reconstruction. Oro-cutaneous fistula was resolved after operation. Patients reported improved food intake after operation without pus discharge. Functional and esthetic results showed successful reconstruction.

The mandibuloplasty for the facial aesthetic reason has been the one of the most popular procedures in aesthetic facial bone surgery in East Asia. Most East Asian women prefer smaller-looking and smooth-shaped facial contour. Prominent mandible angle which are common in Asia would be the main problem for smooth facial contour. In addition, recently, the mandibular body and broad chin shape also are known to be remodeled in order to get the ideal smooth facial shape. However, mandibuloplasty is not that easy to cut because many patients has inward mandibular angle and the visual field in operation is limited. The aim of this trial is to try to provide the prefabricated cutting guide for the symmetric and appropriate mandibuloplasty with the surgeons. Preoperative computed tomography(CT) data were processed for the patient and computer simulation model was produced. Then, mandibuloplasty was done on the computer simulation screen. Based on this data, customized cutting guide was made. This prefabricated cutting guide was used in real mandibuloplasty bilaterally. Premade cutting guide for the mandibuloplasty based on the computer simulation turned out to be very successful in this patient. Individualized approach for each patient could be an ideal way to manage the patients in near future.

Recently, computer-assisted surgery is popular for performing well-planned operations. Computer-aided navigation system is helpful in maxillofacial surgery with real time instrument positioning and clear anatomic identification. Generally, segmental mandibulectomy and reconstruction flap surgery have done by extra-oral approach such as, submandibular approach. This case report describes performing intra-oral segmental mandibulectomy and reconstruction with monocortical deep circumflex iliac artery (DCIA) flap and CT guided implant surgery by using computer-aided surgical guide and navigation for managing ameloblastoma in a 31 years old female patient.

Closed reduction using acrylic splints with circummandibular fixation has been known to be useful techniques in pediatric mandibular fractures. However, this technique has some shortcomings, including needs for impression taking or additional laboratory process, which can increase the exposure time of general anesthesia or make an additional sedation visit. Recently, the advancement of computer-aided maxillofacial surgery offers to clinicians to expansion of its application. This case report represents a technique of computer-assisted virtual reconstruction and computer-aided designed splint fabrication in a 2-year-old boy with mandibular body fracture.

The fibula free flap has now become the most reliable and frequently used option for mandible reconstruction. Recently, three dimensional images and printing technologies are applied to mandibular reconstruction. We introduce our recent experience of mandibular reconstruction using three dimensionally planned fibula free flap in a patient with gunshot injury. The defect was virtually reconstructed with three-dimensional image. Because bone fragments are dislocated from original position, relocation was necessary. Fragments are virtually relocated to original position using mirror image of unaffected right side of the mandible. A medical rapid prototyping (MRP) model and cutting guide was made with 3D printer. Titanium reconstruction plate was adapted to the MRP model manually. 7 cm-sized fibula bone flap was designed on left lower leg. After dissection, proximal and distal margin of fibula flap was osteotomized by using three dimensional cutting guide. Segmentation was also done as planned. The fibula bone flap was attached to the inner side of the prebent reconstruction plate and fixed with screws. Postoperative evaluation was done by comparison between preoperative planning and surgical outcome. Although dislocated condyle is still not in ideal position, we can see that reconstruction was done as planned.