Brief Article
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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
Processing time: 157 Days and 16.1 Hours
Core Tip

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.