Virtual endoscopy: our next major investigative modality?

Virtual endoscopy (VE) of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses is a new and noninvasive imaging tool. Three-dimensional visualization via VE has been applied to display endoluminal pathology in the colon, trachea, bronchial tree, vessels, urinary tract, and paranasal sinuses. Postprocessing of raw data acquired from helical computed tomography with advanced software can formulate a virtual three-dimensional model by a volume rendering technique. VE permits dynamic navigation within a lumen using a "fly-through" feature. Applications of this investigative modality in the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses complement conventional fibre-optic rhinoscopy in diagnosis, operative planning, and the education of trainees.