title: Colorectal neoplasm detection using virtual colonoscopy: a feasibility study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Virtual colonoscopy is a potentially powerful tool for non-invasive colorectal evaluation. In vitro studies have established its accuracy in simulated polyp detection but little data exist regarding its use in clinical practice.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the ability of virtual colonoscopy to detect colorectal cancers and polyps in patients with endoscopically proven colorectal neoplasms and to correlate the findings of virtual colonoscopy with those of conventional colonoscopy, surgery, and histopathology.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty eight patients with endoscopic findings suggestive of colorectal carcinoma.
  
  
  METHODS
  Virtual colonoscopy was performed using thin section helical computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen and pelvis after rectal insufflation of room air. Commercially available software was used to generate endoscopic "fly through" examinations of the colon from the CT data. Results were correlated with the findings of conventional colonoscopy and with the surgical and histopathological outcome in each case.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty eight pathologically proven colorectal cancers and 23 adenomatous polyps were present. On virtual colonoscopy, all cancers and all polyps measuring greater than 6 mm in size were identified; there were two false positive reports of polyps. On conventional colonoscopy, there was one false positive report of a malignant sigmoid stricture; four subcentimetre polyps were overlooked. Virtual colonoscopy enabled visualisation of the entire colon in 35 patients; conventional colonoscopy was incomplete in 14 patients. Virtual colonoscopy correctly localised all 38 cancers, compared with 32 using conventional colonoscopy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Virtual colonoscopy is a feasible method for evaluating the colon; it may have role in diagnosis of colorectal cancer and polyps.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Boston Medical Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
authors.forename: H M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Fenlon
authors.forename: D P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Nunes
authors.forename: P D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Clarke
authors.forename: J T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Ferrucci
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003111:Colonic Polyps / Q000175:diagnosis; D003113:Colonoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged