%0 Journal Article %J EUROPEAN SURGERY - ACTA CHIRURGICA AUSTRIACA %D 2002 %T Virtual dissection and automated polyp detection of the colon based on spiral CT - Techniques and preliminary experience on a cadaveric phantom %A Erich Sorantin %A Georg Werkgartner %A Emese Balogh %A Anna Vilanova Bartroli %A Kálmán Palágyi %A László Gábor Nyúl %A László Ruskó %X Background: CT colonography was found to be sensitive andspecific for detection of colonic polyps and colorectal cancer (CRC). Depending on the software used, CT colonography requires a certain amount of operator interaction, which limits it's widespread usage. The goal of this papers is to present two novel automated techniques for displaying CT colonography: virtual dissection and automated colonic polyp detection. Methods: Virtual dissection refers to a technique where the entire colon is virtually stretched and flattened thus simulating the view on the pathologist's table. Colonic folds show a 'global outward bulging of the contour', whereas colonic polyps exhibit the inverse ('local inward bulging'). This feature is used to map areas of 'local inward bulging' with colours on 3D reconstructions. A cadaveric phantom with 13 artificially inserted polyps was used for validation of both techniques. Results: On virtual dissection all 13 inserted polyps could be identified. They appeared either as bumps or as local broadening of colonic folds. In addition, the automated colonic polyp detection algorithm was able to tag all polyps. Only 10 min of operator interaction were necessary for both techniques. Conclusions: Virtual dissection overcomes the shortcomings of CT colonography, and automated colonic polyp detection establishes a roadmap of the polyps. %B EUROPEAN SURGERY - ACTA CHIRURGICA AUSTRIACA %V 34 %P 143 - 149 %8 2002/// %@ 1682-8631 %G eng %N 2 %! EUR SURG-ACA