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. 1998 Dec;43(6):806–811. doi: 10.1136/gut.43.6.806

Colorectal neoplasm detection using virtual colonoscopy: a feasibility study

H Fenlon 1, D Nunes 1, P Clarke 1, J Ferrucci 1
PMCID: PMC1727352  PMID: 9824608

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. 
Aims—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. 
Patients—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 38cancers, compared with 32 using conventional colonoscopy. 
Conclusion—Virtual colonoscopy is a feasible method for evaluating the colon; it may have role in diagnosis of colorectal cancer and polyps. 



Keywords: colonic neoplasms; computed tomography; computer simulation

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Figure 1 .

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Normal colon. Virtual colonoscopy (retrograde view) showing normal haustral folds and lumen perspective. 


Figure 2 .

Figure 2

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Caecal carcinoma. A 2.5 cm caecal carcinoma is shown on both conventional (A) and virtual colonoscopy (B) (arrow). Note smoothing of tumour surface detail, a consistent finding on virtual colonoscopy images.


Figure 3 .

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Splenic flexure carcinoma. An annular constricting splenic flexure carcinoma is shown on conventional (A) and virtual colonoscopy (B). Although the tumour could not be passed endoscopically, at virtual colonoscopy the colon proximal to the tumour was clearly visualised and was normal.


Figure 4 .

Figure 4

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Transverse colon polyp. A 4 mm polyp is seen on both conventional (A) and virtual colonoscopy (B) (arrow). The typical triangular configuration of the transverse colon is readily appreciated on both conventional and virtual colonoscopy images. 


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These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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