Virtual CT colonoscopy in diagnosis of colorectal proliferative lesions / 中华消化杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To evaluate the ability of virtual CT colonoscopy to detect colorectal proliferative lesions in endoscopically proven patients and its clinical application prospects. Methods Virtual colonoscopy was performed using thin section helical computed tomography of the abdomen and pelvis in 23 patients with conventional colonoscopic findings suggestive of abnormalities within 1 hour. The data from CT scanning was processed by computer with specific commercial software, two and three dimensional reconstruction was subsequently made. Results The diagnosis of colorectal carcinomas was made on virtual colonoscopy in 21 cases, among which 20 cases were endoscopically diagnosed as cancers and 1 case was found sigmoid stricture of unknown causes, that was finally confirmed surgically and pathologically. All polyps greater than 11 mm were identified both by conventional endoscopy and virtual colonoscopy. 19 polyps with size of 6～10 mm were detected on virtual colonoscopy, the location and size of 13 polyps were in accordance with those of endoscopic findings, 2 false positive polyps were reported in 6 newly detected polyps. Virtual colonoscopy correctly localized all 21 cancers, compared with 18 using conventional colonoscopy. Conclusion Virtual colonoscopy is a valuable clinical method in diagnosis of colorectal cancers and polyps with size larger than 6 mm, and it is a good indication for colonic stricture and colonoscopy intolerable patients.