Abstract
Aim
In this retrospective study, we assess the current role and future potential of computed
tomographic (CT) colonography as a viable alternative imaging tool for colorectal
polyp detection and colon cancer screening.
Materials and methods
Twenty patients have undergone virtual colonographic examinations with 64-multidetector-row
spiral CT (MDCT), and three-dimensional images were created on a separate workstation
that had the appropriate software for image processing. Images were reviewed by a
radiologist, and anatomic division of the entire colon was used to locate the suspected
lesions. Characteristics of bowel preparation, intracolonic, extracolonic, and incidental
findings were noted, too.
Results
Ten of the 20 patients (50%) had a positive CT colonography for polypoid lesions.
Those lesions were distributed into the cecum (4 cases), colon ascendens (2 cases),
colon descendens (2 cases), and sigma (2 cases). In 80%, bowel preparation was good,
in 15% moderate, and in 5% inadequate. Furthermore, CT scan noted in total 20 incidental
findings.
Conclusion
CT colonography is currently a viable alternative imaging tool for colorectal polyp
detection. There are several clinical situations where CT colonography may play an
important role in patient care. These include for example evaluation of the colon
after an incomplete conventional colonoscopic examination or evaluation in patients
who are clinically unfit to undergo conventional colonoscopy. At centers where there
is expertise in data acquisition and interpretation, CT colonography is being offered
as a routine imaging examination. With continued improvements in bowel preparation,
colonic distention, and CT colonography interpretation by sufficient numbers of radiologists
this technology might have a substantial influence on colon cancer screening.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: March 07, 2008
Accepted:
December 17,
2007
Received:
November 2,
2007
Identification
Copyright
© 2008 Elsevier Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
