Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
4
pubmed:dateCreated
2002-7-19
pubmed:abstractText
This work uses a new programme for producing 3D radiological images acquired by means of CT which enables the internal surfaces of the examined structures to be visualized. This new method, which is able to navigate inside organs in a similar way to fibreoptic endoscopy, is known as virtual endoscopy. CT examinations of the temporal bone were carried out using spiral equipment and endoscopic 3D processing was carried out on a separate workstation equipped with a volume-rendering programme. Once the technical parameters necessary for obtaining a representation of the internal surfaces had been defined, a simulation of a virtual otoscopy was conducted by moving the virtual endoscope from the external auditory canal through the annulus to the tympanic cavity. The simulation can be obtained either by moving the endoscope by hand, using the mouse, or by defining a path along which the software automatically creates an endoscopic 3D reconstruction. The images thus obtained are projected sequentially to give a "movie" effect, i.e. a continuous progression of the endoscope. The average time required to conduct the procedure ranges from 20 to 30 min. A virtual endoscopic visualization of the middle ear was obtained which, in particular, generated images of the tympanic cavity with the ossicular chain. In our experience, virtual otoscopy shows the anatomy of the structures of the tympanic cavity in excellent detail and may be considered complementary to CT, providing useful images enabling better visual representation and understanding of this complex structure. Although clinical applications of the technique remain to be defined it may have a role to play in presurgical diagnostic evaluation of the ossicular chain, epitympanum and retrotympanum.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Jun
pubmed:issn
0001-6489
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
122
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
382-5
pubmed:dateRevised
2004-11-17
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
2002
pubmed:articleTitle
Usefulness of virtual endoscopic three-dimensional reconstructions of the middle ear.
pubmed:affiliation
Operative Clinical Unit of Radiology, Cattinara Hospital, Trieste, Italy. arrom@libero.it
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article