This study Advanced Endoscopy Procedures explores the feasibility and reliability of ultrasound virtual endoscopy (USVE) for detecting and measuring polyps in an in vitro model using pig intestine specimens. The research compared USVE to computed tomography colonography (CTC) and optical colonoscopy (OC), focusing on polyp detection accuracy and measurement consistency. A total of six porcine intestine specimens containing 30 synthetic polyps were prepared, with polyp sizes ranging from 4 to 13 mm. USVE successfully detected 29 of the 30 polyps (96.7%), missing only one 7-mm polyp, and produced one false-positive finding. Compared to CTC and OC, USVE achieved reliable detection, with 89.7% of reconstructed images clearly depicted.
Polyp Measurements
Researchers used USVE on two-dimensional multiplanar reformatted planes to obtain polyp measurements and analyzed the absolute measurement errors against physical measurements as the standard. The results revealed intraclass correlation coefficients of 0.876, indicating high reliability. The measurement errors varied by size, with smaller errors observed for polyps ≥6 mm. Compared to CTC and OC, USVE proved dynamic, non-invasive, radiation-free, and cost-effective, making it a promising method for colorectal cancer screening and surveillance.
This study highlights the potential of USVE as a screening tool for detecting and measuring polyps, particularly for early colorectal cancer detection. While USVE shows promise, researchers need to conduct further studies in clinical settings to validate its applicability in humans.
