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Department of Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Medical Physics, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University
Clinic of Gastroenterology, Nephrourology and Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University
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ABSTRACT
Key words: virtual colonoscopy, CT colonography, colon cancer, colon polyps.
Colorectal cancer is a common malignancy that results in significant morbidity and mortality. It is a curable disease if
detected early and may be prevented if precursor adenomas are detected and removed. One of noninvasive examination
methods of the colon is computed tomography colonography. Computed tomography colonography has been shown to be
sufficiently accurate in detecting colorectal neoplasia. Recent data about examination was collected from MEDLINE and
Pubmed databases. This article reviews current indications, contraindications and methodology of computed tomography
colonography. We describe computed tomography colonography Reporting and Data System and discuss the accuracy
of computed tomography colonography based on recent reports and literature data. We conclude that computed tomography colonography is safe and effective colon examination method, especially when carried out properly. Probability of
complications of this procedure is very low with minimal discomfort for the patient. The noninvasive nature of computed
tomography colonography may be attractive to patients, and the use of this modality may improve screening compliance
and diagnostic rates.
SANTRAUKA
Reikminiai odiai: virtuali kolonoskopija, KT kolonografija, storosios arnos vys, storosios arnos polipai.
Storosios arnos vys yra danai pasitaikantis piktybinis navikas su auktais sergamumo ir mirtingumo rodikliais. Anksti nustaius v, jis yra pagydomas, taip pat jo galima ivengti paalinus jo pirmtakus adenomas. Vienas i neinvazini storosios
arnos tyrimo metod yra kompiuterins tomografijos kolonografija. I literatros altini inoma, kad kompiuterins tomografijos kolonografija yra gana tikslus diagnostikos metodas ir gali aptikti gaubtins bei tiesiosios arnos neoplazijas. iame
straipsnyje pateikiami Medline ir PubMed duomen bazse surinkti naujausi duomenys apie kompiuterins tomografijos
kolonografij. Taip pat straipsnyje apvelgiamos dabartins indikacijos, kontraindikacijos ir kompiuterins tomografijos
kolonografijos metodikos. Apraoma kompiuterins tomografijos kolonografijos ataskait teikimo ir duomen sistema,
naujausi literatros altiniai apie tyrimo tikslum. Tinkamai atliekama kompiuterins tomografijos kolonografija yra saugus
ir veiksmingas storosios arnos tyrimo metodas. ios procedros komplikacij tikimyb yra labai maa, diskomfortas pacientui bna minimalus. Neinvazin kompiuterins tomografijos kolonografija gali bti pacientams patraukli ir galt pagerinti
storosios arnos vio atrank bei diagnostikos rodiklius.
Dileta Rutkauskait
Radiologijos ir branduolins medicinos centras
Santariki g. 2, Vilnius
dileta.rutkauskaite@santa.lt
teorija ir praktika 2013 - T. 19 (Nr. 2),
2) 195201 p.
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klinikinspraktins apvalgos
INTRODUCTION
Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer
mortality in Europe. Each year approximately 435 000 people are newly diagnosed with colorectal carcinoma (CRC)
[1] . It is a curable disease if detected early and may be
prevented if precursor adenomas are detected and removed.
Computed tomography colonography (CTC), also called
virtual colonoscopy, has made great progress over the years,
and is becoming more and more popular. With the advent
of faster computed tomography scanners and powerfull
computer software, examinations are performed more quickly with less patient radiation exposure providing the
radiologist data that allow accurate polyp detection using
two- and three-dimensional imaging [2].
In the article we review the literature data about CTC
methodology, indications and contraindications, complications and CTC accuracy for detection colon cancer and
polyps.
OBJECTIVE
CT colonography, also known as virtual colonoscopy,
is a technique that uses data generated from CT imaging of
the fully cleaned and gas-distended colon to generate twodimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) images of
the colon. It was first reported by Vining et al. in 1994 as a
rapid, noninvasive imaging method to investigate the colon
and rectum [2].
CTC is an alternative diagnostic test to colonoscopy
diagnosing colorectal cancer and polyps [3]. Up to now,
on-going debate continues on CTC suitability of the screening. Despite the evidence that it can be as sensitive as
optical colonoscopy for large polyps and cancer detection
it is not yet recommended as a routine screening tool by
all organizations. To date, no studies have been published
assessing reduction in CRC incidence or mortality. The majority of studies have focused on comparing the characteristics of this method with colonoscopy [4]. A number of
meta-analyzes to determine the accuracy of this study were
carried out. CTC is a potential screening test, with an estimated sensitivity of 88 % for advanced neoplasia 10 mm
[5]. In recent systematic review and meta-analysis CTC was
mostly an effective diagnostic technique for lesions > 6 mm
with an average sensitivity of 68.35 % for lesions of all sizes.
Sensitivity for detection of lesions >6mm was calculated at
76.24 %, increasing to 77.55 % for lesions > 10 mm. It
follows that the results of CTC improves with large size
lesions and shows that CTC compares favorably with optical colonoscopy for detection of larger polyps (> 6 mm) [6].
Barium enema examination accurately identifies latestage cancer, but it is a poor test for important cancer-precursor lesions [7] and is rarely used for colorectal-cancer
screening today.
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PATIENT PREPARATION
The purpose of the bowel preparation for CTC is to
minimize or eliminate the negative effect of stool on the
interpretation of the examination. Three major approaches
have been undertaken: cathartic-only, tagging-only, and
complete cathartic/tagging strategies. Whereas the first two
approaches have demonstrated adequate polyp sensitivities
in high-prevalence cohorts, only the complete cathartic/tagging strategy has demonstrated effective polyp detection
rates in the intended cohorts of low-prevalence or screening populations [8]. Fecal and fluid tagging is a promising technique being evaluated to replace standard bowel
cleansing. It may be performed with or without electronic
bowel cleansing. The patient ingests small amounts of barium or iodinated oral contrast medium with meals prior
to CTC. The high attenuation contrast medium incorporates within the residual stool facilitating differentiation
from polyps. When electronic bowel cleansing techniques
are used (digital cleansing), the high attenuation tagged
stool is segmented from the data leaving only the colonic
mucosa and filling defects which are attributed to polyps
and cancerous masses [2].
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EXAMINATION TECHNIQUE
Adequate colon distension should be obtained to visualize the complete colonic lumen and optimal scan parameters should be used to prevent unnecessary radiation burden. For optimal distension, automatic carbon dioxide or
manual room air insufflation should be performed, preferably via a thin, flexible catheter [2, 9] (Figure 1). If we use
automatic insufflator for colon distention, usually about 3
liters of carbon dioxide is used. Manualy we insufflate room
air untill the patient indicates discomfort.
Hyoscine butylbromide or glucagone (when available)
are the spasmolytic agents because of the positive effect
on insufflation and pain/burden [10]. Scans in two positions prone and supine are required for adequate distension and high polyp sensitivity and decubitus position may
be used as an alternative for patients unable to lie in prone
position. The great intrinsic contrast between air or tagging
and polyps allows the use of low radiation dose. The lowdose protocol without intravenous contrast agent should be
used when extracolonic findings are deemed unimportant.
The normal abdominal CT scan protocols with intravenous
enhancement should be used in supine position for the evaluation of extracolonic findings in patients suspected for
colorectal cancer [9]. If we perform CTC study with intravenous contrast agent, the native scan is performed in
prone patient position and a scan with contrast agent in
supine position. Only portovenous contrast phase is usually recommended. The amount of contrast agent is chosen
depending on the body weight of the patient.
DATA VISUALIZATION AND INTERPRETATION
(C-RADS)
After scaning acquired CT data are transferred onto a
dedicated postprocessing work station equipped with navigator software, permitting the radiologist to obtain multiplanar reformations as well as to construct an endoluminal model of the air-distended colon, allowing fly-through
capabilities in the distended colon in both the antegrade
and retrograde directions. Workstations allow simultaneous
viewing of the 3D and 2D images and also provide a 3D
Table 1. CT Colonography Reporting and Data System: CT colonography findings and follow-up recommendation (our
adapted from [11])
Score
C0
C1
C2
C3
C4
Description
Inadequate study/Awaiting Prior Comparison
Normal Colon or Benign Lesion;Continue Routine Screening
Intermediate Polyp or Indeterminate Finding;Surveillance
or Colonoscopy Recommended
Polyp, Possibly Advanced Adenoma; Follow-up Colonoscopy Recommended
Colonic Mass, Likely Malignant; Surgical Consultation
Recommended
teorija ir praktika 2013 - T. 19 (Nr. 2)
Examples
Inadequate preparation or insufflation
No polyp6 mm:lipoma or diverticula
Intermediate polyp 6-9mm, <3 in number
Polyp 10mm;3 polyps, each 6-9mm
Lesion compromises bowel lumen, demonstrates extracolonic invasion
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klinikinspraktins apvalgos
Colonoscopy has a considerable error rate for localization of colorectal cancer, especially when previous colorectal procedures have been performed. Without accurate
localization and definitions of margins, the surgeon may
resect the wrong segment or incompletely remove the tumor, and this is especially important with the advent of
laparoscopic surgery and the loss of the ability to palpate
the colon [15]. So with the help of CTC we can accurately
detect localization of the tumor and synchronous lesions
and/or polypectomy site before a laparoscopic surgery.
CTC is a potential technique for colorectal carcinoma
screening. Studies on the impact of CTC screening on CRC
incidence or mortality have not yet been conducted. Seven
systematic reviews and metaanalyses on CTC performance
characteristics in comparison to colonoscopy [1622] reported that sensitivity was low for small polyps and increased with polyp size (Table 2 and Table 3).
In accordance with European guidelines for quality assurance in colorectal cancer screening and diagnosis (2010) New technologies under evaluation are not
recommended for CRC screening by the EU.
Virtual colonoscopy is recommended in the United
States for first-line screening in high- and medium-risk
patients. Only the patients with one or more polyps measuring more than 9 mm detected by that procedure are
referred for optical colonoscopy. In this strategy, polyps me-
Table 2. Meta-analyses and systematic reviews targeted on CTC founded polyps according their size in mixed population
of patients
>9 mm
83%
82%
85%
93%
88%
Overall
96,1%
69%
70%
-
92%
97%
97%
95%
83%
86%
-
Table 3. Meta-analysis targeted on nonscreening population with positive fecal occult blood test (Walleser et al. 2007)
[20]
Per patient analysis
Polyps 10 mm
Cancers
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Number of patients
5 studies
Sensitivity (% )
63%
89%
Specificity ( %)
95%
97%
teorija ir praktika 2013 - T. 19 (Nr. 2)
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Table 4. CT Colonography Reporting and Data System: Radiologic Metod of Categorizing Extracolonic Findings
According to Clinical Significance (our adapted from [11])
Score
E0
E1
E2
E3
E4
Description
Limited examination: compromised by artifact; evaluation of extracolonic soft tissues is severely limited
Normal exam or anatomic variant
Clinically unimportant findings; no work-up indicated
Likely unimportant findings, incompletely characterized;
work-up may be indicated
Potentially important findings; communicate to referring physician as per accepted practice guidelines
teorija ir praktika 2013 - T. 19 (Nr. 2)
Examples
Not applicable
Retroaortic left renal vein
Simple liver or kidney cysts
Complex kidney cyst
Aortic aneurysm, lymfadenopathy
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