Elevated gastric lesions: virtual gastroscopy

Abstract

With the development of multidetector computed tomography and the improvement in the capabilities of workstations, the use of high-quality three-dimensional reconstructions and virtual images can be applied to organs other than the colon such as the stomach. As a noninvasive technique, virtual gastroscopy represents an alternative to conventional endoscopy for the detection of elevated lesions. Findings of this technique are illustrated.

Advanced Virtual Endoscopy for Endoscopic Transsphenoidal Pituitary Surgery

“…Introduced by Vining (37) in 1994, this was the first clinical application of vE, and it has since evolved to encompass virtual colon unfolding (36) and automated detection of polyps (39). Virtual bronchoscopy (10), virtual gastroscopy (6), and vE of the urinary tract (14) are other areas of application where evaluation of vE and translation into clinical practice are ongoing efforts. In otorhinolaryngology, vE has been used for endoscopic paranasal sinus surgery (1); in neurosurgery, vE has been used for simulation of ventriculoscopy (3,13,19,22) and cisternal endoscopy (2,12,17,26,31).…”

Upper gastrointestinal tumours: diagnosis and staging

“…Type 4 advanced gastric cancers are diffusely infiltrating lesions that are associated with marked proliferation of fibrotic tissue and desmoplasia producing the so-called linitis plastica appearance (Fig. 2(b)) [2, 5, 6]. …”

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“…Despite the importance of pretreatment staging, no single test or combination of tests for staging esophageal cancer has been accepted as the standard of care [8, 9]. Each one has its strengths and weaknesses.…”

“…Its weaknesses are that it is an invasive method and inaccurate for staging or characterizing the lesion. High-grade stenoses are difficult to be overcome by endoscopy [8, 9].…”