Advanced 3D Display Methods

Abstract

With conventional 2D computed tomography (CT) sections, polyps may be difficult to detect and, conversely, normal structures such as haustra may appear polypoid and be mistaken as pathology. This provides the rationale for 3D displays such as virtual endoscopy, which depicts more intuitively the topographical features of the colon. At the same time, 3D displays in and of themselves are insufficient to fully characterize a suspected polyp because CT attenuation values provide clues as to whether an area represents soft tissue or fat, or if the area contains gas as often found in foci of retained stool.