Virtual investigation of pulmonary airways in volumetric computed tomography

This paper addresses the issue of non-invasive investigation and functional assessment of pulmonary airways reconstructed from multi detector computed tomography clinical acquisitions. Such an analysis combines accurate 3D meshing of the inner bronchial wall surface and navigation and interactivity tools based on a robust central axis representation. A reliable endoluminal investigation of airways via virtual bronchoscopy is possible regardless of their anatomical/pathological specificity (small caliber bronchi, severe stenoses, ...). Computational fluid dynamics simulations on real airway geometries allow to assess functional modifications induced by physiopathological changes.