Virtual colonoscopy

In modern radiology, image acquisition techniques such as X-ray computer tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provide multiple cross sections of parts of the body. Images of multiple slices may be combined to volume information that can be presented in many ways. By segmentation and volume rendering techniques, surfaces of specific organs can automatically be presented to the user in any desired viewing angle. These image processing steps make it possible to present the image information in a manner which better corresponds with the way the body is observed by the clinician than with cross-sectional information. Virtual colonoscopy is an example of such an image processing approach. In this approach, the CT or MRI image information is presented in a way similar to normal optical colonoscopy. This presentation technique therefore corresponds with the way an endoscopist is used to inspect the colon and this makes this technique suitable as a follow-up to conventional optical endoscopy. In addition, the technique is more patient-friendly, more time-efficient, and yields a better surface visibility than conventional colonoscopy.

@InProceedings { VGSFNPTVS05a,
  author       = "Vos, F.M. and Gelder, R.E. van and Serlie, I.W.O. and Florie, Jasper and Nio, C. Yung and Post, Frits H. and
                  Truyen, R. and Vossepoel, A.M. and Stoker, J.",
  title        = "Virtual colonoscopy",
  booktitle    = "Engineering for patient safety: notes in minimally invasive procedures",
  year         = "2005",
  editor       = "J. Dankelman and C.A. Grimbergen and H.G. Stassen",
  publisher    = "Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum",
  note         = "0 8058 4905 X",
  url          = "http://graphics.tudelft.nl/Publications-new/2005/VGSFNPTVS05a"
}