title: Virtual endoscopy of the nasal cavity in comparison with fiberoptic endoscopy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To apply virtual-endoscopic mode to display the nasal cavity and to evaluate clinical application of virtual endoscopy in comparison with nasal fiberoptic endoscopy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eleven patients were examined by virtual endoscopy after axial spiral computed tomography (CT) scanning was performed. In addition, 9 out of these 11 patients underwent fiberoptic endoscopy. Spiral CT scanning was performed with 1-mm collimation, 0.5- to 1-mm increment, 25-250 mA s, and pitch 1-2. Virtual endoscopy was performed by Explorer software package.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Virtual endoscopy could clearly demonstrate anatomic structures in the nasal cavity, septal deviation, stenosis and obstruction of the middle meatus, turbinate hyperplasia, and pathological masses larger than 3 mm in diameter. However, "false adhesions" may appear in virtual endoscopy. The main limitation of virtual endoscopy was the inability to evaluate mucosa and its surface.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Virtual endoscopy of the nasal cavity is a new and noninvasive method. It can demonstrate normal and pathological structures in the nasal cavity. Its ability to visualize is comparable with fiberoptic endoscopy except for evaluating mucosal surface and secretions. In the future, this method will probably be a basic instrument of computer-assisted surgery in the midfacial region.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of Ulm, Traunstein, Germany.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Pirsig
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ilgen
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Görich
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sokiranski
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016477:Artifacts; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004724:Endoscopy; D005260:Female; D005336:Fiber Optic Technology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009296:Nasal Cavity / Q000473:pathology; D009668:Nose Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014584:User-Computer Interface