Interactive 3D Virtual Colonoscopic Navigation For Polyp Detection From CT Images

Optical colonoscopy is an invasive procedure used to examine surface lining of the colon, by inserting a flexible tube with a light and camera into the body. Virtual colonoscopy is emerging as a non-invasive alternative to optical colonoscopy. This paper describes 3D reconstruction of colon structure from patient specific CT images, interactive visualization and navigation through the reconstructed colon, automated computation of the navigation path and automated polyp detection with 90.91% sensitivity. This enables a doctor to perform a fast diagnosis through virtual exploration of the colon and resort to invasive colonoscopy procedures only if suspicious polyps are detected.