3-DIMENSIONAL REAL-TIME ENDOSCOPIC ULTRAS OUND IMAGING FOR TUMOR VOLUMETRY IN ESOPHAGEAL CANCER

The response of esophageal carcinoma to neoadjuvant therapy is difficu lt to evaluate because CT-scanning and ultrasound can only show the tw o-dimensional extension of the tumor. For an exact tumor staging and v olume detection we used a new computer program which allows a real tim e three-dimensional reconstruction of the tumor based on the endosonog raphic information. With a specially developed pull-back device the co mputer continuously withdraws the echoscope through the esophagus. The acquired data were completely digitized and a 3D-image of the entire tumor region was created. The computer program allows rotations of the 3D-image and a view from any perspective. In addition sections can be removed. Based on a 256-different-grey-value discrimination tumor vol ume can be completely detected. This new image technique has the poten tial to improve the assessment of tumor response to neoadjuvant therap eutic modalities.