CT Colonography Application Provides Automated Segmentation

A three-dimensional (3D) system provides a comprehensive computed tomography (CT) colon application that features all the tools necessary for an effective diagnosis. The application offers automated segmentation and centerline generation for endoscopic evaluation.

TeraRecon, Inc. (San Mateo, CA, USA), a developer of image processing technology and 3D visualization solutions, announced highlights to their comprehensive CT Colon package at the ninth International Symposium on Virtual Colonoscopy held on October 27-29, 2008 in Boston, MA, USA.

In September 2008, The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) published results from the recent U.S. National CT Colonography (CTC) multi-center trial. The study, conducted by the American College of Radiology Imaging Network (ACRIN) at 15 centers across the United States, demonstrated very comparable results as compared to the gold standard screening method of optical colonoscopy (OC). The study compared primary CTC screening with OC screening in 2,531 adults and found that primary CTC, when used to screen asymptomatic patients, has 90% sensitivity for 10-mm or larger polyps.

With these very encouraging results, clinicians can feel much more comfortable utilizing less invasive advanced visualization methods. Also included in the package are supine and prone study synchronization, rearview mirror view, 100% visualization verification, and single click polyp identification. An optional Spherefinder module automatically highlights regions of potential interest. The clinical application also supports iCAD or MedicSight computer-assisted detection (CAD) software that automatically identifies colon polyps and provides the clinical end-user with the ability to perform "concurrent” or "secondary reads” that can aid in the interpretation process. A powerful integrated reporting feature completes the interpretation process, producing reports which can be stored as a Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) object and distributed to picture archiving and communication systems (PACS).

Robert Taylor, president and COO of TeraRecon stated, "We fundamentally understand that efficiency in the workplace needs to begin with having the right clinical tools and applications in the hands of clinicians where and when they need them. With our best-in-class client-server iNtuition technology, we will have the capability of placing the CT Colonography package at the fingertips of physicians who are directly tasked with achieving the optimal clinical diagnosis.”

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