In a study reported in The New England Journal of Medicine (Volume 359, page 1207) virtual colonoscopy compared favorably to standard colonoscopy. Here’s what you should know.
Virtual colonoscopy, also known as computerized tomographic (CT) colonography, is comparable to standard colonoscopy, according to results from the American College of Radiology Imaging Network (ACRIN) National CT Colonography Trial. These findings provide further support for adding virtual CT to the list of recommended initial colorectal cancer screening options for people who are age 50 or over and at average risk for colon cancer.
In the ACRIN trial, which enrolled more than 2,600 patients at 15 sites across the nation, virtual CT findings were compared with those from standard colonoscopy. Study participants were at least 50 years old and had not had a colonoscopy in the five years prior to the exam.
The investigators found that CT colonography was highly accurate in detecting intermediate and large polyps: 90%of the polyps 1 cm in diameter or larger were detected. Furthermore, even polyps as small as 0.5 cm were detected by CT colonography with a high degree of accuracy. If you've been putting off getting a colonoscopy because of the invasiveness of the procedure, you now have a reliable noninvasive option.
Risks and disadvantages. There are no known risks associated with virtual colonoscopy. One disadvantage is that if a polyp is detected, you will need to have an endoscopic procedure to have it removed, which increases the overall cost. Also, virtual colonoscopy may not be able to detect flat lesions.
