CT colonography is a relatively new noninvasive imaging technique that allows detection of colorectal polyps and cancers [1]. The sensitivity of CT colonography for colorectal polyp detection is directly related to polyp size [1]. Sensitivity for the detection of diminutive polyps (≤ 5 mm) is 10–67% [2–9].
In a number of studies, CT colonography has displayed results equivalent to colonoscopy in both cancer and polyp detection. CT colonography has been shown to rapidly and effectively examine the entire colon for lesions.
As long as luminal distention allows for 3D endoluminal fly-through, polyp detection is not significantly impacted (Fig 12). However, in cases where evaluation is limited to 2D evaluation, relevant lesions can easily be missed.
Colonoscopies have long been the standard screening procedure for detecting growths in the colon, but CT Colonography is a comparably accurate, non-invasive alternative. Ask your care provider to refer you to UVA Radiology and Medical Imaging for your CT Colonography.
CT colonography is used to screen for cancers and other conditions affecting the colon. This study looks for significant growths, such as polyps, within your rectum and colon. Polyps are growths on the colon's lining that sometimes grow into cancers.
The accuracy of detecting CRC in unprepared bowel on CT has been estimated to have an accuracy of 80% in one study [5] with sensitivities of 75%–100% and specificities of 86%–96% in other studies [6], [7], [8], [9].
A diagnostic colonoscopy is warranted if the CT scan shows possible signs of malignancy. If a person remains asymptomatic after CT-diagnosed diverticulitis, a follow-up colonoscopy should take place at an interval of five years after the preceding colonoscopy.
A CT scan will identify inflamed diverticula, bowel wall inflammation, pericolic fat stranding, and corresponding complications [9,10,11,83,87,88]. CT is capable of visualizing pericolonic and colonic complications which results in a more accurate diagnosis for the patient, along with better standard of care.
An upper endoscopy provides better detail than a CT scan or an upper gastrointestinal (GI) series, which uses X-rays. However, there are some risks to consider. These include: If you had a biopsy as part of your procedure, you may experience bleeding at the site.
Pain. A large colon polyp can block part of your bowel, leading to crampy abdominal pain. Rectal bleeding. This can be a sign of colon polyps or cancer or other conditions, such as hemorrhoids or minor tears of the anus.
Other Options: The FIT Test and Cologuard
If you are not ready for a colonoscopy, the next best option is a Fecal Immuno-histochemistry test (FIT), which can detect about 80% of problems. This test is done in the convenience your home, and requires no preparation, time off from work, or sedation.
Even if your colonoscopy showed no polyps or if all polyps were taken out, you can still develop new polyps in the future. That's why it's important to have a colonoscopy whenever your health care team recommends it. The timing of your next colonoscopy usually depends on the number and size of the polyps removed.
CT scans utilize X-rays to form images of organs and tissues inside the body (for example, abdominal organs, brain, chest, lungs, heart) while colonoscopy is a procedure that can visualize only the inside surface of the colon.
CT (computed tomography) colonography is a test that uses CT scans to check the large bowel (colon) and back passage (rectum). It's also called a virtual colonoscopy. You have this test as an outpatient in the CT scanning (or radiology) department at the hospital.
Colonoscopy, in which a small tube with a light and camera is inserted into your rectum to look at your colon. If polyps are found, your health care provider may remove them immediately or take tissue samples to send to the lab for analysis. Virtual colonoscopy, a test that uses a CT scan to view your colon.
Concerns about CT scans include the risks from exposure to ionizing radiation and possible reactions to the intravenous contrast agent, or dye, which may be used to improve visualization. The exposure to ionizing radiation may cause a small increase in a person's lifetime risk of developing cancer.
A CT scan of the abdomen may be performed to assess the abdomen and its organs for tumors and other lesions, injuries, intra-abdominal bleeding, infections, unexplained abdominal pain, obstructions, or other conditions, particularly when another type of examination, such as X-rays or physical examination, is not ...
Most of the time, CT is the first choice to stage cancer. Apart from cancer, CT scans are often used to image bone fractures and look for internal bleeding or blood clots, spinal and brain injuries, and other conditions.
Your doctor may diagnose your condition using: Abdominal and Pelvic CT: A CT scan is the best test to diagnose diverticulitis. It can also help determine the severity of the condition and guide treatment. You may receive an intravenous (IV) injection of contrast material.
The preferred examination for diverticulitis is CT scanning of the abdomen and pelvis. CT findings can help in confirming clinical suspicion of diverticulitis and in excluding other abdominal or pelvic disease. CT can help in evaluating and staging inflammatory disease.
Inflammation involves the rectum and sigmoid colon — the lower end of the colon. Symptoms include bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramps and pain, and an inability to move the bowels despite the urge to do so. This is called tenesmus.
While CT colonography is about 88.7% accurate at finding certain polyps, it is less accurate than colonoscopy overall.
Colonoscopy is a method of screening for colorectal cancer. Doctors can also use a range of other invasive and noninvasive alternatives for screening. Alternatives to colonoscopy include sigmoidoscopy, which is a less invasive form of colonoscopy, and noninvasive methods, such as stool sample testing.
People who have had certain types of polyps removed during a colonoscopy. Most of these people will need to get a colonoscopy again after 3 years, but some people might need to get one earlier (or later) than 3 years, depending on the type, size, and number of polyps.