3-DIMENSIONAL INNER-SURFACE-IMAGING OF TH E LARYNX AND THE TRACHEA BYHELICAL CT - VIRTUAL ENDOSCOPY

A Survey presents the technical conditions and facilities of the compu ted tomographic virtual endoscopy. The inner surface of the upper airw ay was reconstructed from the data set of a helical CT. The anatomical structures were visualized in over 80 patients. 15 patients with a su spected tracheal stenosis were additional investigated. The virtual en doscopy allowed an identification of the anatomical structures. pathol ogical endoluminal findings, as stenosis, were investigated successful ly. The virtual endoscopy combines the advantages of helical CT and th e imaging of the endoluminal surface. Compared with the endoscopic exa mination the non-invasive technique offers additional indications, esp ecially in high-risk patients or non-passable Stenosis.