HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Figures Only Full Text Full Text (PDF) Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Silva, A. C. Articles by Hara, A. K. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Silva, A. C. Articles by Hara, A. K. Related Collections Computed Tomography Gastrointestinal Radiology

Three-dimensional Virtual Dissection at CT Colonography: Unraveling the Colon to Search for Lesions¹

¹ From the Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Mayo Clinic, 13400 E Shea Blvd, Scottsdale, AZ 85259. Presented as an education exhibit at the 2004 RSNA Annual Meeting. Received November 10, 2005; revision requested February 6, 2006, and received May 10; accepted June 28. A.K.H. has a licensure agreement with GE Healthcare for the CT colonography software described in this article. All other authors have no financial relationships to disclose. Address correspondence to A.C.S. (e-mail: silva.alvin{at}mayo.edu).

Computed tomographic (CT) colonography is a promising noninvasive examination for colorectal cancer screening; however, the optimal interpretation strategy remains undecided. Virtual dissection is an innovative technique whereby the three-dimensional (3D) model of the colon is virtually unrolled, sliced open, and displayed as a flat 3D rendering of the mucosal surface, similar to a gross pathologic specimen. This technique has the potential to reduce evaluation time by providing a more rapid 3D image assessment than is possible with an antegrade and retrograde 3D endoluminal fly-through. It may also ultimately improve accuracy by reducing blind spots present with 3D endoluminal displays and by reducing reader fatigue. A disadvantage of virtual dissection is the potential for distortion of colonic lesions and normal anatomy. To avoid potential pitfalls in image interpretation, the radiologist must be familiar with the unique appearance of the normal colon anatomy and of various pathologic findings when using virtual dissection with two-dimensional axial and 3D endoluminal CT colonographic image data sets.

© RSNA, 2006

This article has been cited by other articles:

				D. Hock, R. Ouhadi, R. Materne, A.-S. Aouchria, I. Mancini, T. Broussaud, P. Magotteaux, and A. Nchimi Virtual Dissection CT Colonography: Evaluation of Learning Curves and Reading Times with and without Computer-aided Detection Radiology, September 1, 2008; 248(3): 860 - 868. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. J. Pickhardt, A. D. Lee, A. J. Taylor, S. J. Michel, T. C. Winter, A. Shadid, R. J. Meiners, P. J. Chase, J. L. Hinshaw, J. G. Williams, et al. Primary 2D Versus Primary 3D Polyp Detection at Screening CT Colonography Am. J. Roentgenol., December 1, 2007; 189(6): 1451 - 1456. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. J. Pickhardt Screening CT Colonography: How I Do It Am. J. Roentgenol., August 1, 2007; 189(2): 290 - 298. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]