CT Colonography: The Next Colon Screening Examination?
- 1 August 2000
- journal article
- review article
- Published by Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) in Radiology
- Vol. 216 (2), 331-341
- https://doi.org/10.1148/radiology.216.2.r00au47331
Abstract
Computed tomographic (CT) colonography is a new-generation technique for detecting colorectal neoplasms by using volumetric CT data combined with specialized imaging software. Patient examinations require full colonic preparation, insufflation, and data acquisition with the patient in the supine and prone positions. Current CT technology allows a single image of the colon to be acquired in as little as 20 seconds with a minimum of patient discomfort. Specialized computer software for interpretation usually combines transverse, multiplanar reformation, and three-dimensional endoluminal images for the optimal visualization of the colon and rectum. As of the time this article was written, CT colonography was competitive as a full structural colonic examination for the detection of polyps and cancer. To the authors' knowledge, no study results have yet been reported in a screening population. The unique capabilities of CT colonography include the display of the proximal colon that is inaccessible at colonoscopy because of obstructing colonic lesions or because of incomplete endoscopic examinations and the assessment of extracolonic abdominal and pelvic organs. This abdominopelvic survey potential provides radiologists with an opportunity to discover other potentially life-threatening, asymptomatic conditions. Further technologic developments and validation studies are in progress. CT colonography is an exciting and promising technique with an enormous potential for colorectal screening in the future.Keywords
This publication has 47 references indexed in Scilit:
- Virtual endoscopy: what's in a name?American Journal of Roentgenology, 1998
- American Cancer Society guidelines for screening and surveillance for early detection of colorectal polyps and cancer: update 1997. American Cancer Society Detection and Treatment Advisory Group on Colorectal CancerCA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, 1997
- Colorectal cancer screening: Clinical guidelines and rationaleGastroenterology, 1997
- Prevention of Colorectal Cancer by Flexible Endoscopy and Polypectomy: A Case-Control Study of 32 702 VeteransAnnals of Internal Medicine, 1995
- Protection by Endoscopy Against Death From Colorectal CancerArchives of Internal Medicine, 1995
- A Case-Control Study to Evaluate Efficacy-Of Screening for Faecal Occult BloodJournal of Medical Screening, 1995
- Prevention of Colorectal Cancer by Colonoscopic PolypectomyNew England Journal of Medicine, 1993
- Reducing Mortality from Colorectal Cancer by Screening for Fecal Occult BloodNew England Journal of Medicine, 1993
- Screening Sigmoidoscopy and Colorectal Cancer MortalityJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 1992
- A Case–Control Study of Screening Sigmoidoscopy and Mortality from Colorectal CancerNew England Journal of Medicine, 1992