Laryngoscopic Image Stitching for View Enhancement and Documentation – First Experiences

Abstract

One known problem within laryngoscopy is the spatially limited view onto the hypopharynx and the larynx through the endoscope. To examine the complete larynx and hypopharynx, the laryngoscope can be rotated about its main axis, and hence the physician obtains a complete view. If such examinations are captured using endoscopic video, the examination can be reviewed in detail at a later time. Nevertheless, in order to document the examination with a single representative image, a panorama image can be computed for archiving and enhanced documentation. Twenty patients with various clinical findings were examined with a 70° rigid laryngoscope, and the video sequences were digitally stored. The image sequence for each patient was then post-processed using an image stitching tool based on SIFT features, the RANSAC approach and blending. As a result, endoscopic panorama images of the larynx and pharynx were obtained for each video sequence. The proposed approach of image stitching for laryngoscopic video sequences offers a new tool for enhanced visual examination and documentation of morphologic characteristics of the larynx and the hypopharynx.

Stitching and Surface Reconstruction From Endoscopic Image Sequences: A Review of Applications and Methods

“…In the field of otorhinolaryngology -ear, nose and throat (ENT) conditions -Schuster et al [125] have successfully applied general-purpose stitching software to laryngoscopic image sequences and presented panorama images of the larynx for documentation purposes.…”

“…An unrolled panorama image of the esophagus, based on a cylindrical surface model [36]. A planar panorama image of the larynx, generated with general-purpose stitching software [125]. Dynamic view enhancement (real-time) for laparoscopy using an EKF-SLAM approach [108].…”

Panoramabildgebung der Blase: Vom Phantom zu präklinischen Experimenten

“…Das Konzept der Panoramazystoskopie lässt sich auch auf andere endoskopische Untersuchungen wie z. B. die Laparoskopie [21] oder den Kehlkopf [22] übertragen oder auch in Form der Navigationsunterstützung in der Neurochirurgie anwenden [19]. Allerdings müssen für diese alternativen Einsatzszenarien andere Modellannahmen für den untersuchten Hohlraum getroffen werden, da der Bauchraum, der Kehlkopf oder die Keilbeinhöhle nicht als Kugelmodell aufgefasst werden können.…”

Automatic workflow for narrow-band laryngeal video stitching

“…To the best of the authors' knowledge, however, very little efforts have been invested in the laryngeal field. In [4], white light laryngeal video stitching was performed, using the general purpose software AutoStitch (http://matthewalunbrown.com/autostitch/autostitch.html). Results were encouraging, although there was no evidence of the endoscopic frame extraction strategy to achieve a fully automated process.…”