Computed tomography colonography (CTC) (also known as `virtual colonoscopy') is a noninvasive method of imaging the colon using helical CT. Although CTC has been shown to be useful for certain clinical indications, it has not yet been endorsed as a colorectal cancer screening test. The purpose of this article is to review the current status of CTC for colorectal cancer screening. CTC is an accurate method to detect colonic polyps and to select patients who would benefit from colonoscopy. The major advantages of CTC over conventional colonography include its relatively low risk and greater tolerance by patients. In this article, the CTC procedure and results of clinical trials are reviewed, as well as potential pitfalls related to CTC performance and interpretation. Finally, radiation dose, the discovery of incidental extracolonic findings with CTC, bowel preparation methods, and computer-aided diagnosis are addressed.

Author

Jay P Heiken, Christine M Peterson and Christine O Menias

Contact Details

Corresponding address:
Jay P Heiken, MD,
Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology,
510 South Kingshighway Blvd. Box 8131,
St Louis, MO 63110, USA.

Reference

ICIS Cancer Imaging Volume 5 Special Issue A
DOI: 10.1102/1470-7330.2005.0108

Date Posted

24 November 2005

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