CT data processing and visualization aspects of virtual colonoscopy

The majority of virtual colonoscopy (VC) techniques try to simulate a real colonoscopy. A doctor who makes a real colonoscopy does not have optimal information about anatomical structures which he look at. 3D visualisation of colon segmented from computed tomography (CT) data allows him to see the whole organ, inner and outer structure of the colon. The VC helps doctors during diagnostic processes in identification and localization of pathological structures and offers computer support for endoscopic procedures. In this paper we present novel algorithms for: 3D colon segmentation, cleansing CT data from fluids and colon centreline calculation. They represent a set of useful tools for practical realization of low-cost, PC-based virtual colono-scopy when having CT data of a patient. Additionally, features of different, alternative techniques for CT data visualisation are discussed and compared.