Visualization Technique Aids Virtual Colonoscopy

A new visualization technique transforms the image data of the interior of a patient's colon during virtual colonoscopy into a series of unfolded views, aiding a doctor's view of polyps and lesions and reducing the time needed for the procedure.

The technique involves the use of software called Endo 3D Unfolded. This software processes the computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance (MR) images on a workstation to provide a doctor with an omni-directional view of the inside of the colon. These images enable the doctor to inspect visually 99.5% of the entire surface of the colon walls, from any angle, even the area normally hidden behind folds.

This unfolded method is more time-efficient for navigation and inspection than conventional 3-D display methods, reducing the average time needed to interpret the prone and supine data from 35 minutes to just under 20 minutes per patient. The software was developed by Philips Medical Systems (Best, The Netherlands) and is included in the company's multi-modality image processing workstation.

"The Philips technique appears to improve the efficiency of inspecting the tissue surface of the colon in terms of the speed and confidence with which you can visualize the backside of folds and inner aspects of curves,” said Dr. Joseph Ferrucci, chairman of radiology at Boston University School of Medicine (MA, USA). "It reduces the viewing time because it processes very comprehensive data efficiently and quickly.”






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