Three-dimensional endoscopic ultrasonography of gastrointestinal lesions using an ultrasound probe.
BACKGROUND
This study was carried out to ascertain the clinical usefulness and problems of three-dimensional (3D) images obtained with the ultrasound probe.


METHODS
Eighteen resected specimens and 21 patients were examined. After the images were recorded on video, 3D displays were produced using a workstation.


RESULTS
In the in vitro study the surface images were quite consistent with the macroscopic findings in 17 cases. In 2 esophageal cancers, 7 of 10 gastric cancers, and 2 colonic cancers the depth of tumor invasion was assessed accurately from the reconstructed images. In the in vivo study although 3 D display had some limitations, it was useful in esophageal and rectal lesions.


CONCLUSIONS
This new diagnostic method could visualize the 3D extent of gastrointestinal lesions and appears to have a useful clinical application.
Nishimura
K
K
Second Dept. of Internal Medicine, Nagoya University School of Medicine, Japan.
Niwa
Y
Y
Goto
H
H
Hase
S
S
Arisawa
T
T
Hayakawa
T
T
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016145:Endoscopy, Digestive System / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005770:Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional / Q000295:instrumentation*; D014741:Video Recording