Brief Article
Copyright ©2013 Baishideng Publishing Group Co., Limited. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Nov 14, 2013; 19(42): 7419-7425
Published online Nov 14, 2013. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v19.i42.7419
Real-time virtual sonography visualization and its clinical application in biliopancreatic disease
Atsushi Sofuni, Takao Itoi, Fumihide Itokawa, Takayoshi Tsuchiya, Toshio Kurihara, Kentaro Ishii, Syujiro Tsuji, Nobuhito Ikeuchi, Reina Tanaka, Junko Umeda, Ryosuke Tonozuka, Mitsuyoshi Honjo, Shuntaro Mukai, Fuminori Moriyasu
Atsushi Sofuni, Takao Itoi, Fumihide Itokawa, Takayoshi Tsuchiya, Toshio Kurihara, Kentaro Ishii, Syujiro Tsuji, Nobuhito Ikeuchi, Reina Tanaka, Junko Umeda, Ryosuke Tonozuka, Mitsuyoshi Honjo, Shuntaro Mukai, Fuminori Moriyasu, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo 160-0023, Japan
Author contributions: All authors contributed to this manuscript.
Correspondence to: Atsushi Sofuni, MD, PhD, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tokyo Medical University, 6-7-1 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0023, Japan. a-sofuni@amy.hi-ho.ne.jp
Telephone: +81-3-33426111 Fax: +81-3-53816654
Received: June 13, 2013
Revised: August 14, 2013
Accepted: September 16, 2013
Published online: November 14, 2013
Abstract

AIM: To evaluate the usefulness of real-time virtual sonography (RVS) in biliary and pancreatic diseases.

METHODS: This study included 15 patients with biliary and pancreatic diseases. RVS can be used to observe an ultrasound image in real time by merging the ultrasound image with a multiplanar reconstruction computed tomography (CT) image, using pre-scanned CT volume data. The ultrasound used was EUB-8500 with a convex probe EUP-C514. The RVS images were evaluated based on 3 levels, namely, excellent, good and poor, by the displacement in position.

RESULTS: By combining the objectivity of CT with free scanning using RVS, it was possible to easily interpret the relationship between lesions and the surrounding organs as well as the position of vascular structures. The resulting evaluation levels of the RVS images were 12 excellent (pancreatic cancer, bile duct cancer, cholecystolithiasis and cholangiocellular carcinoma) and 3 good (pancreatic cancer and gallbladder cancer). Compared with conventional B-mode ultrasonography and CT, RVS images achieved a rate of 80% superior visualization and 20% better visualization.

CONCLUSION: RVS has potential usefulness in objective visualization and diagnosis in the field of biliary and pancreatic diseases.

Keywords: Biliary and pancreatic disease, Computed tomography-multiplanar reconstruction image, Navigation, Real-time ultrasound image, Real-time virtual sonography

Core tip: The real-time virtual sonography (RVS) system combined with ultrasonography (US) and computed tomography (CT) compensates for each of the deficiencies of US and CT. The visualization in biliary and pancreatic diseases using RVS added objectivity and detailed imaging for diagnosis lacking in conventional B-mode US and CT, and it becomes possible to make a more precise diagnosis. Moreover, it is possible to consider this system as providing images of detailed processes conveniently and in real time. RVS has potential usefulness in objective visualization and diagnosis in the field of biliary and pancreatic diseases.