title: Modified virtual colonoscopy: a noninvasive technique for the diagnosis of rectovaginal septum and deep infiltrating pelvic endometriosis.
abstract: In this study, we modified the standard virtual colonoscopy technique to diagnose deep infiltrating pelvic endometriosis. The following modifications were used: (1) insertion of a large obstetric tampon high into the vagina; (2) insertion of a Foley catheter into the rectum and insufflation with CO(2); and (3) scanning only the pelvis. We used a Toshiba Aquillion 64-multidetector computed tomography scanner coupled to a 3-D workstation. By employing various reconstruction modules such as endo-luminal fly-through, cubed volume, 2-D multiplanar reconstruction, 3-D transparent view, and 3-D volume-rendered and maximum intensity projection, we were able to demonstrate deep infiltrating pelvic endometriosis in bowel, urinary tract, and rectovaginal and retroperitoneal spaces.
authors.affiliation: Endometriosis Institute of Southern Africa, Parklane Clinic, Parktown, Johannesburg, South Africa. vdwatgyn@iafrica.com
authors.forename: Johan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: van der Wat
authors.forename: Mitch D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Kaplan
mesh_terms: D023881:Colonography, Computed Tomographic / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D007420:Intestine, Large / Q000473:pathology; D010388:Pelvis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D012007:Rectum / Q000473:pathology; D012187:Retroperitoneal Space / Q000473:pathology; D014513:Ureter / Q000473:pathology; D014551:Urinary Tract / Q000473:pathology; D014621:Vagina / Q000473:pathology