423 VIRTUAL ENDOSCOPY: AN INNOVATIVE TOOL FOR DETECTING TISSUE PATHOLOGIES (2011)

You have accessJournal of UrologyBladder and Urethra: Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology1 Apr 2011423 VIRTUAL ENDOSCOPY: AN INNOVATIVE TOOL FOR DETECTING TISSUE PATHOLOGIES Hazem Orabi, Tamer Aboushwareb, Josh Tan, Anthony Atala, and James Yoo Hazem OrabiHazem Orabi Winston salem, NC More articles by this author , Tamer AboushwarebTamer Aboushwareb Winston salem, NC More articles by this author , Josh TanJosh Tan Winston salem, NC More articles by this author , Anthony AtalaAnthony Atala Winston salem, NC More articles by this author , and James YooJames Yoo Winston salem, NC More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.juro.2011.02.513AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookTwitterLinked InEmail INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES Computerized Tomography has been a clinician's imaging and interventional tool for many decades. Although the capabilities of conventional CT scanners is limited by visualizing anatomical structures, technological advances in hardware improvement and sophisticated software development have allowed for expanded clinical utilization. We examined the capabilities of a three-dimensional CT scanner supported by enabling software to serve as a virtual endoscopic tool. We investigated whether enhanced CT-assisted virtual cystourethroscopy would provide a detailed 360 degree visualization of the entire length of the urethral lumen. METHODS A Toshiba 32-Slice Aquilion scanner, which has the capability of imaging 0.5mm-thick tissue slices, was used in this study. Double imaging could provide visualization every 0.25 mm. The scanned images were processed with the TeraRecon Aquarius Work station, which provides 2–4 dimensional viewing capabilities. Eighteen CT-guided urethrocystographic examinations were performed in 9 male beagles undergoing urethral reconstruction. Pre and post-operative scanning was performed in conjunction with retrograde urethrograms and cystourethrography for comparison. The animals were sacrificed at their pre-determined time points and the urethral tissues were retrieved for comparative analyses. Using the scanned image slices, the urethral diameter, length and area of lumen were measured. Batches of 2-D and 3-D images were compiled together to generate a movie that allowed for evaluation of the urethral lumen from various planes. RESULTS All scanned images were successfully converted into movie files, which allowed for accurate analyses from various angles. The pre and post-operative scans of each animal correlated with retrograde urethrograms and cystourethrography. The surgical sites were readily identified in detail. Gross examination of the retrieved urethras confirmed all the anatomical details visualized by virtual urethroscopy. CONCLUSIONS These findings show that CT-assisted virtual urethroscopy allows for accurate visualization of the urethral lumen, and it provides an accurate assessment of the anatomical tissue integrity. This technological non-invasive tool may be an alternate modality to conventional endoscopy and retrograde urethrography. © 2011 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 185Issue 4SApril 2011Page: e170-e171 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2011 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.MetricsAuthor Information Hazem Orabi Winston salem, NC More articles by this author Tamer Aboushwareb Winston salem, NC More articles by this author Josh Tan Winston salem, NC More articles by this author Anthony Atala Winston salem, NC More articles by this author James Yoo Winston salem, NC More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement Advertisement PDF downloadLoading ...