GI tract unraveling with curved cross sections

Gastrointestinal (GI) tract examination with spiral/helical computed tomography (CT) is currently performed by slice-based inspection of axial images. CT colography is a recent advance which allows an intraluminal visualization of the colon, similar to endoscopy. Various rendering algorithms have be...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:IEEE transactions on medical imaging 1998-04, Vol.17 (2), p.318-322
Main Authors: Ge Wang, McFarland, G., Brown, B.P., Vannier, M.W.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Algorithms
Anatomy, Cross-Sectional
Biological and medical sciences
Colon
Colon - diagnostic imaging
Colonic Polyps - diagnostic imaging
Colonography
Colonoscopy
Computed tomography
Computerized tomography
Digestive system
Electric charge
Electric Conductivity
Electric fields
Endoscopes
Gastrointestinal tract
Humans
Image Processing, Computer-Assisted - methods
Inspection
Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects)
Medical sciences
Navigation
Radiodiagnosis. Nmr imagery. Nmr spectrometry
Radiographic Image Enhancement
Rendering (computer graphics)
Spirals
Tomography, X-Ray Computed - methods
Visualization
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Summary:Gastrointestinal (GI) tract examination with spiral/helical computed tomography (CT) is currently performed by slice-based inspection of axial images. CT colography is a recent advance which allows an intraluminal visualization of the colon, similar to endoscopy. Various rendering algorithms have been developed with promising results, however navigation through the complex, tortuous anatomy of the colon can be time consuming in practice. In this paper, the authors propose an electrical-field-based method to unravel the convoluted colon, that is, to digitally straighten it with curved cross sections and flatten it over a plane. In the authors' method, electrical charges are simulated along the central colon path. Curved cross sections are defined by the electrical force lines, and lead to consistent unraveling. It is demonstrated with image volumes of two patients that this technique produces a global planar view of complicated colon features with a potential for detection of polyps.
ISSN:0278-0062
1558-254X
DOI:10.1109/42.700745