A computer-assisted method for detecting surface features in a virtual
colonoscopy. The method includes providing a three-dimensional
construction of a computed tomography colonography surface; creating a
path along the teniae coli from the proximal ascending colon to the
distal descending colon on the colonography surface; forming an indexed
computed tomography colonography surface using the created path; and
registering the supine and prone scans of the computed tomography
colonography surface using the indexed computed tomography colonography
surface. The method also includes navigating the internal surface of the
computed tomography colonography using the indexed computed tomography
colonography surface.