Virtual colonoscopy.
Virtual colonoscopy (VC) is less invasive than optical colonoscopy in screening for colorectal cancer, although it does require exposure to radiation. Patient sedation is not required, but bowel preparation and air insufflation are. Studies of VC have shown rising detection rates, especially for lesions >or=10mm. Traditional colonoscopy is still required for polyp removal and to confirm cancer.
D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003113:Colonoscopy / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted