title: Review of computed tomographic colonography from a surgeon's perspective.
abstract: New research has addressed many of the early concerns of computed tomographic colonography (CTC) and these studies are now beginning to shape clinical practices. A review of the literature demonstrates that the sensitivity of CTC in screening for large polyps (>/= 1cm) or cancers in the large intestine is as high as that of conventional optical colonoscopy, however, the sensitivity decreases with the diameter of the polyp. Despite this, CTC is well tolerated, more acceptable to patients than optical colonoscopy and therefore may improve colorectal cancer screening compliance. This review not only describes the diagnostic accuracy and sensitivity of CTC, and the evolving role of CTC as a primary colon cancer screening option, but also the recent studies that have demonstrated the additional value of CTC utilization for practicing clinicians.
authors.affiliation: University of New Mexico, Department of Surgery, Albuquerque, NM 87111, USA.
authors.forename: Charles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bellows
authors.affiliation: Tulane University, Department of Surgery, New Orleans, LA, USA.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gagliardi
authors.affiliation: Galliera Hospital, Department of Radiology, Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: Lorenzo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bacigalupo
mesh_terms: D003106:Colon / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D023881:Colonography, Computed Tomographic; D003113:Colonoscopy; D006801:Humans; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D011857:Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D066231:Surgeons