title: CT colonography can be an adjunct to optical colonoscopy in CRC screening.
abstract: CT colonography or virtual colonoscopy is a fairly new modality that has the potential to play a significant role in screening for colon cancer. CT colonography is an attractive option for two specific reasons. First, it is non-invasive and, second, it obviates the need for sedation. It thus overcomes the two major drawbacks of optical colonoscopy. CT colonography cannot be a stand-alone technique for colorectal cancer screening because, unlike conventional colonoscopy, it does not possess a therapeutic option or a definite diagnostic capability. However, CT colonography can be a cost-effective complement to traditional colonoscopy if it is reasonably priced and if appropriate cut-off levels (>6 mm polyp) are used to increase its sensitivity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Mount Sinai Services at Elmhurst, Elmhurst General Hospital, Elmhurst, NY 11373, USA. gumastev@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Vivek V
authors.initials: VV
authors.lastname: Gumaste
mesh_terms: D023881:Colonography, Computed Tomographic / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D003113:Colonoscopy; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity