CT colonography even safer than previously reported, says studyMay 02, 2006The safety profile for CT colonography (CTC) is extremely favorable, particularly for the purposes of screening patients with no symptoms and when distending the colon using an automated carbon dioxide technique, a finding that goes against the higher complication rates for CTC reported by other groups, according to a new study. For this study, researchers analyzed 21,923 CTC procedures, including both diagnostic and screening procedures. Colonic distention was achieved by manual room air insufflation in 60% of cases and by automated carbon dioxide delivery in 40%. No perforations were recorded in patients undergoing screening CTC or with those who underwent the automated carbon dioxide delivery technique. Perforations were recorded in only two patients undergoing diagnostic CTC, and manual room air insufflation was employed in both cases. Only one of the two needed treatment for the perforation, and the one who was treated was already symptomatic prior to CTC due to annular sigmoid carcinoma. Overall, the researchers found that the complication rate for this procedure was 0.018%, or 4 out of 21,923 procedures. According to the researchers, automated carbon dioxide delivery is much simpler and safer for the CT technologist to employ than manual room air insufflation, which was the method of distention used in the previous studies that reported a higher complication rate due to perforations. "The automated nature of carbon dioxide delivery removes the guesswork and patient coaching necessary with manual distention. In addition, this automated approach with low-pressure carbon dioxide provides improved distention and reduced post-procedure discomfort," said Perry J. Pickhardt, MD, of the University of Wisconsin Medical School and lead author of the study.
"Our results provide reassurance to patients that this minimally invasive examination is a very safe colorectal screening tool. 'Primum non nocere' (first do no harm) is particularly applicable to the screening of asymptomatic adults, which raises some important issues for screening with invasive colonoscopy," said Dr. Pickhardt. The full results of the study will be presented on May 2, 2006 during the American Roentgen Ray Society Annual Meeting in Vancouver, BC. American Roentgen Ray Society | ||||||||||
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Related CT Colonography Current Events and CT Colonography News Articles Is CT-colonoscopy a valuable tool to detect colorectal cancer? CTC (virtual colonoscopy) is a thin slice CT scan of the abdomen after adequate bowel preparation and colon insufflation in which data are reconstructed providing axial, multiplanar, and endoluminal views, in order to visualize internal colonic wall. Brown-Assisted Trial Finds New Colorectal Screening Procedure Is Accurate and Less Invasive More patients stand to benefit from a comprehensive, less invasive method to accurately detect colorectal cancer and precancerous polyps, a multicenter study involving Brown University and institutions nationwide has found. AGA Institute statement: Data support CT colonography as viable colorectal cancer screening option Death from colorectal cancer is highly preventable with effective screening and early detection. Many screening options are available, each with advantages and disadvantages, but half of eligible patients still do not participate in colorectal cancer screening. ASGE encourages patients to speak to their doctor about colorectal cancer screening options Results of the National CT Colonography Trial, published in the September 18 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine, show improvements in the technology's ability to diagnose intermediate- to large-sized polyps in the colon, but this method of testing is not as effective in diagnosing small polyps Health groups issue updated colorectal cancer screening guidelines The American Cancer Society, the American College of Radiology, and the U.S. Multi-Society Task Force on Colorectal Cancer (a group that comprises representatives from the American College of Gastroenterology, American Gastroenterological Association, and American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy) have released the first-ever joint consensus guidelines for colorectal cancer screening. AGA supports new guidelines favoring tests that prevent colorectal cancer New consensus colorectal cancer guidelines released today state for the first time that the primary goal of colorectal cancer screening is cancer prevention. Previous guidelines have given equal weight to tests for detecting cancer and preventing cancer. By removing polyps from the large bowel, colonoscopy is the only screening test that also prevents colorectal cancer. New guidelines update recommendations on colorectal cancer screening A new guideline on colorectal cancer screening released today by an expert group representing a broad spectrum of health care organizations, including the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG), the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) and the American Cancer Society (ACS), offers recommendations for various alternatives for colorectal cancer detection and states a strong preference for screening tests that can prevent colorectal cancer. CT colonography detects wide-range of extracolonic abnormalities in elderly patients CT colonography (CTC), when used in elderly patients, can detect a high number of new and significant abnormalities outside the colon (including cirrhosis and tumors) and is well tolerated, according to a recent study conducted by researchers at St. James's University Hospital in Leeds, United Kingdom (UK). Minority patients prefer optical colonoscopy for colorectal cancer screening The clinical importance of colorectal cancer screening is well established, however the majority of eligible people do not undergo screening tests. AGA Institute statement on CT colonography study Colorectal cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer deaths, affecting both men and women nearly equally and is one of the most preventable cancers. The American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) Institute supports clinically proven technologies that increase the number of patients screened for colon cancer. More CT Colonography Current Events and CT Colonography News Articles |
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