Virtual Colonography vs. Standard Colonoscopy

The American College of Radiology Imaging Network (ACRIN) released a study in the NEJM on September 18th showing that CT Virtual Colonography is an effective screening tool for colon cancer. The technique involves reconstructing abdominal CT images to produce a 3D virtual “fly through” of the patient’s colon.
In a study involving more than 2600 patients at 15 sites across the USA, the ACRIN trial was found to be highly accurate for detecting intermediate and large sized polyps. Accuracy was found to be comparable to conventional colonoscopy across a variety of clinical settings.
More convenient, less invasive and preferred by patients, perhaps this option will help to prevent some of the 52,000 deaths colorectal cancer causes each year in the US.
ACRIN PROTOCOL 6664…
Abstract: Accuracy of CT Colonography for Detection of Large Adenomas and Cancers NEJM 359: 1207-1217
Flashbacks: Virtual Colonoscopy as Good as Actual Colonoscopy ; Virtual Colonoscopies More Cost-Effective than Reality TV Colonoscopies…
NOTE: Medgadget is excited to welcome our first Canadian, Dr. Steve Sheehan, to the editorial board. This is his inaugural post.