Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Overview of CT Colonography

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Cross-Sectional Imaging of the Abdomen and Pelvis

  • 2778 Accesses

Abstract

Colorectal cancer is associated with high mortality and morbidity and is currently the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. Early detection and treatment of colorectal carcinoma can significantly improve the prognosis. Although optical colonoscopy has been the gold standard for the diagnosis of this condition, computed tomography colonoscopy is increasingly playing an important role in the diagnosis and staging of colorectal carcinoma.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 149.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 199.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 279.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/ColonandRectumCancer/DetailedGuide/colorectal-cancer-key-statistics

  2. Howlader N, Noone AM, Krapcho M et al. (editors). SEER cancer statistics review, 1975–2008, National Cancer Institute. Bethesda, http://seer.cancer.gov/csr/1975_2008/, based on Nov 2010 SEER data submission.

  3. Day DW, Morson BC. The adenoma-carcinoma sequence. Major Probl Pathol. 1978;10:58–71.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Muto T, Bussey HJ, Morson BC. The evolution of cancer of the colon and rectum. Cancer. 1975;36(6):2251–70.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Vogelstein B, Fearon ER, Hamilton SR, et al. Genetic alterations during colorectal-tumor development. N Engl J Med. 1988;319(9):525–32.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Morson BC. The evolution of colorectal carcinoma. Clin Radiol. 1984;35(6):425–31.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Toribara NW, Sleisenger MH. Screening for colorectal cancer. N Engl J Med. 1995;332(13):861–7.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Winawer SJ, Zauber AG, Ho MN, et al. Prevention of colorectal cancer by colonoscopic polypectomy. The National Polyp Study Workgroup. N Engl J Med. 1993;329(27):1977–81.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Ferrucci JT. Colon cancer screening with virtual colonoscopy: promise, polyps, politics. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2001;177(5):975–88.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Rockey DC, Paulson E, Niedzwiecki D, et al. Analysis of air contrast barium enema, computed tomographic colonography, and colonoscopy: prospective comparison. Lancet. 2005;365(9456):305–11.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Pickhardt PJ, Hassan C, Halligan S, Marmo R. Colorectal cancer: CT colonography and colonoscopy for detection–systematic review and meta-analysis. Radiology. 2011;259(2):393–405.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  12. Halligan S, Altman DG, Taylor SA, et al. CT colonography in the detection of colorectal polyps and cancer: systematic review, meta-analysis, and proposed minimum data set for study level reporting. Radiology. 2005;237(3):893–904.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Hermanek P. Dysplasia-carcinoma sequence, types of adenomas and early colo-rectal carcinoma. Eur J Surg Oncol. 1987;13(2):141–3.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Taylor SA, Halligan S, Saunders BP, et al. Use of multidetector-row CT colonography for detection of colorectal neoplasia in patients referred via the Department of Health “2-Week-wait” initiative. Clin Radiol. 2003;58(11):855–61.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Macari M, Bini EJ. CT colonography: where have we been and where are we going? Radiology. 2005;237(3):819–33.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Macari M, Berman P, Dicker M, Milano A, Megibow AJ. Usefulness of CT colonography in patients with incomplete colonoscopy. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 1999;173(3):561–4.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Cha EY, Park SH, Lee SS, et al. CT colonography after metallic stent placement for acute malignant colonic obstruction. Radiology. 2010;254(3):774–82.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Coccetta M, Migliaccio C, La Mura F, et al. Virtual colonoscopy in stenosing colorectal cancer. Ann Surg Innov Res. 2009;3:11.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  19. Morrin MM, Farrell RJ, Raptopoulos V, McGee JB, Bleday R, Kruskal JB. Role of virtual computed tomographic colonography in patients with colorectal cancers and obstructing colorectal lesions. Dis Colon Rectum. 2000;43(3):303–11.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Fenlon HM, McAneny DB, Nunes DP, Clarke PD, Ferrucci JT. Occlusive colon carcinoma: virtual colonoscopy in the preoperative evaluation of the proximal colon. Radiology. 1999;210(2):423–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Ota Y, Matsui T, Ono H, et al. Value of virtual computed tomographic colonography for Crohn’s colitis: comparison with endoscopy and barium enema. Abdom Imaging. 2003;28(6):778–83.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Burling D, Halligan S, Slater A, Noakes MJ, Taylor SA. Potentially serious adverse events at CT colonography in symptomatic patients: national survey of the United Kingdom. Radiology. 2006;239(2):464–71.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Pickhardt PJ. Incidence of colonic perforation at CT colonography: review of existing data and implications for screening of asymptomatic adults. Radiology. 2006;239(2):313–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Sosna J, Blachar A, Amitai M, et al. Colonic perforation at CT colonography: assessment of risk in a multicenter large cohort. Radiology. 2006;239(2):457–63.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Keedy AW, Yee J, Aslam R, et al. Reduced cathartic bowel preparation for CT colonography: prospective comparison of 2-L polyethylene glycol and magnesium citrate. Radiology. 2011;261(1):156–64.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  26. Macari M, Lavelle M, Pedrosa I, et al. Effect of different bowel preparations on residual fluid at CT colonography. Radiology. 2001;218(1):274–7.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Taylor SA, Halligan S, Goh V, Morley S, Atkin W, Bartram CI. Optimizing bowel preparation for multidetector row CT colonography: effect of Citramag and Picolax. Clin Radiol. 2003;58(9):723–32.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Fass R, Do S, Hixson LJ. Fatal hyperphosphatemia following Fleet Phospho-Soda in a patient with colonic ileus. Am J Gastroenterol. 1993;88(6):929–32.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Markowitz GS, Stokes MB, Radhakrishnan J, D’Agati VD. Acute phosphate nephropathy following oral sodium phosphate bowel purgative: an underrecognized cause of chronic renal failure. J Am Soc Nephrol. 2005;16(11):3389–96.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Markowitz GS, Whelan J, D’Agati VD. Renal failure following bowel cleansing with a sodium phosphate purgative. Nephrol Dial Transplant. 2005;20(4):850–1.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Liedenbaum MH, Denters MJ, Zijta FM, et al. Reducing the oral contrast dose in CT colonography: evaluation of faecal tagging quality and patient acceptance. Clin Radiol. 2011;66(1):30–7.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Buccicardi D, Grosso M, Caviglia I, et al. CT colonography: patient tolerance of laxative free fecal tagging regimen versus traditional cathartic cleansing. Abdom Imaging. 2011;36(5):532–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Lefere PA, Gryspeerdt SS, Dewyspelaere J, Baekelandt M, Van Holsbeeck BG. Dietary fecal tagging as a cleansing method before CT colonography: initial results polyp detection and patient acceptance. Radiology. 2002;224(2):393–403.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Davis W, Nisbet P, Hare C, Cooke P, Taylor SA. Non-laxative CT colonography with barium-based faecal tagging: is additional phosphate enema beneficial and well tolerated? Br J Radiol. 2011;84(998):120–5.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  35. Mahgerefteh S, Fraifeld S, Blachar A, Sosna J. CT colonography with decreased purgation: balancing preparation, performance, and patient acceptance. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2009;193(6):1531–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Callstrom MR, Johnson CD, Fletcher JG, et al. CT colonography without cathartic preparation: feasibility study. Radiology. 2001;219(3):693–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Pickhardt PJ. CT colonography without catharsis: the ultimate study or useful additional option. Gastroenterology. 2005;128(2):521–2; author reply 2–3.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Zalis ME, Hahn PF. Digital subtraction bowel cleansing in CT colonography. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2001;176(3):646–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Zalis ME, Perumpillichira J, Hahn PF. Digital subtraction bowel cleansing for CT colonography using morphological and linear filtration methods. IEEE Trans Med Imaging. 2004;23(11):1335–43.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Philip AK, Lubner MG, Harms B. Computed tomographic colonography. Surg Clin N Am. 2011;91(1):127–39.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Mang T, Graser A, Schima W, Maier A. CT colonography: techniques, indications, findings. Eur J Radiol. 2007;61(3):388–99.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Luboldt W, Fletcher JG, Vogl TJ. Colonography: current status, research directions and challenges. Update 2002. Eur Radiol. 2002;12(3):502–24.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. Burling D, Taylor SA, Halligan S, et al. Automated insufflation of carbon dioxide for MDCT colonography: distension and patient experience compared with manual insufflation. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2006;186(1):96–103.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  44. Shinners TJ, Pickhardt PJ, Taylor AJ, Jones DA, Olsen CH. Patient-controlled room air insufflation versus automated carbon dioxide delivery for CT colonography. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2006;186(6):1491–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  45. Barish MA, Soto JA, Ferrucci JT. Consensus on current clinical practice of virtual colonoscopy. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2005;184(3):786–92.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  46. Pickhardt PJ. Screening CT, colonography: how I do it. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2007;189(2):290–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  47. Macari M, Bini EJ, Xue X, et al. Colorectal neoplasms: prospective comparison of thin-section low-dose multi-detector row CT colonography and conventional colonoscopy for detection. Radiology. 2002;224(2):383–92.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  48. Iannaccone R, Laghi A, Catalano C, Mangiapane F, Piacentini F, Passariello R. Feasibility of ultra-low-dose multislice CT colonography for the detection of colorectal lesions: preliminary experience. Eur Radiol. 2003;13(6):1297–302.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  49. Jensch S, van Gelder RE, Venema HW, et al. Effective radiation doses in CT colonography: results of an inventory among research institutions. Eur Radiol. 2006;16(5):981–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  50. Buchach CM, Kim DH, Pickhardt PJ. Performing an additional decubitus series at CT colonography. Abdom Imaging. 2011;36(5):538–44.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  51. Chen SC, Lu DS, Hecht JR, Kadell BM. CT colonography: value of scanning in both the supine and prone positions. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 1999;172(3):595–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  52. Yee J, Kumar NN, Hung RK, Akerkar GA, Kumar PR, Wall SD. Comparison of supine and prone scanning separately and in combination at CT colonography. Radiology. 2003;226(3):653–61.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  53. Kimberly JR, Phillips KC, Santago P, et al. Extracolonic findings at virtual colonoscopy: an important consideration in asymptomatic colorectal cancer screening. J Gen Intern Med. 2009;24(1):69–73.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  54. Rajapaksa RC, Macari M, Bini EJ. Prevalence and impact of extracolonic findings in patients undergoing CT colonography. J Clin Gastroenterol. 2004;38(9):767–71.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  55. Morrin MM, Farrell RJ, Kruskal JB, Reynolds K, McGee JB, Raptopoulos V. Utility of intravenously administered contrast material at CT colonography. Radiology. 2000;217(3):765–71.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  56. Royster AP, Fenlon HM, Clarke PD, Nunes DP, Ferrucci JT. CT colonoscopy of colorectal neoplasms: two-dimensional and three-dimensional virtual-reality techniques with colonoscopic correlation. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 1997;169(5):1237–42.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  57. Dachman AH, Kuniyoshi JK, Boyle CM, et al. CT colonography with three-dimensional problem solving for detection of colonic polyps. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 1998;171(4):989–95.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  58. Pickhardt PJ, Choi JR, Hwang I, et al. Computed tomographic virtual colonoscopy to screen for colorectal neoplasia in asymptomatic adults. N Engl J Med. 2003;349(23):2191–200.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  59. Macari M, Milano A, Lavelle M, Berman P, Megibow AJ. Comparison of time-efficient CT colonography with two- and three-dimensional colonic evaluation for detecting colorectal polyps. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2000;174(6):1543–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  60. Pickhardt PJ, Lee AD, McFarland EG, Taylor AJ. Linear polyp measurement at CT colonography: in vitro and in vivo comparison of two-dimensional and three-dimensional displays. Radiology. 2005;236(3):872–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  61. Pickhardt PJ, Lehman VT, Winter TC, Taylor AJ. Polyp volume versus linear size measurements at CT colonography: implications for noninvasive surveillance of unresected colorectal lesions. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2006;186(6):1605–10.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  62. Juchems MS, Fleiter TR, Pauls S, Schmidt SA, Brambs HJ, Aschoff AJ. CT colonography: comparison of a colon dissection display versus 3D endoluminal view for the detection of polyps. Eur Radiol. 2006;16(1):68–72.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  63. Silva AC, Wellnitz CV, Hara AK. Three-dimensional virtual dissection at CT colonography: unraveling the colon to search for lesions. Radiographics. 2006;26(6):1669–86.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  64. Vos FM, van Gelder RE, Serlie IW, et al. Three-dimensional display modes for CT colonography: conventional 3D virtual colonoscopy versus unfolded cube projection. Radiology. 2003;228(3):878–85.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  65. Hoppe H, Quattropani C, Spreng A, Mattich J, Netzer P, Dinkel HP. Virtual colon dissection with CT colonography compared with axial interpretation and conventional colonoscopy: preliminary results. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2004;182(5):1151–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  66. Pickhardt PJ, Taylor AJ, Gopal DV. Surface visualization at 3D endoluminal CT colonography: degree of coverage and implications for polyp detection. Gastroenterology. 2006;130(6):1582–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  67. Taylor SA, Halligan S, Burling D, et al. Computer-assisted reader software versus expert reviewers for polyp detection on CT colonography. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2006;186(3):696–702.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  68. Macari M, Bini EJ, Jacobs SL, Lange N, Lui YW. Filling defects at CT colonography: pseudo- and diminutive lesions (the good), polyps (the bad), flat lesions, masses, and carcinomas (the ugly). Radiographics. 2003;23(5):1073–91.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  69. Pickhardt PJ. Differential diagnosis of polypoid lesions seen at CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy). Radiographics. 2004;24(6):1535–56; discussion 57–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  70. Zalis ME, Barish MA, Choi JR, et al. CT colonography reporting and data system: a consensus proposal. Radiology. 2005;236(1):3–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  71. Fletcher JG, Chen MH, Herman BA, et al. Can radiologist training and testing ensure high performance in CT colonography? Lessons From the National CT Colonography Trial. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2010;195(1):117–25.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  72. Burling D. Standards ICfCc. CT colonography standards. Clin Radiol. 2010;65(6):474–80.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  73. Haycock A, Burling D, Wylie P, Muckian J, Ilangovan R, Thomas-Gibson S. CT colonography training for radiographers–a formal evaluation. Clin Radiol. 2010;65(12):997–1004.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  74. McFarland EG, Levin B, Lieberman DA, et al. Revised colorectal screening guidelines: joint effort of the American Cancer Society, U.S. Multisociety Task Force on Colorectal Cancer, and American College of Radiology. Radiology. 2008;248(3):717–20.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  75. Levin B, Lieberman DA, McFarland B, et al. Screening and surveillance for the early detection of colorectal cancer and adenomatous polyps, 2008: a joint guideline from the American Cancer Society, the US Multi-Society Task Force on Colorectal Cancer, and the American College of Radiology. Gastroenterology. 2008;134(5):1570–95.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  76. Levin B, Lieberman DA, McFarland B, et al. Screening and surveillance for the early detection of colorectal cancer and adenomatous polyps, 2008: a joint guideline from the American Cancer Society, the US Multi-Society Task Force on Colorectal Cancer, and the American College of Radiology. CA Cancer J Clin. 2008;58(3):130–60.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  77. McFarland EG, Fletcher JG, Pickhardt P, et al. ACR Colon Cancer Committee white paper: status of CT colonography. J Am Coll Radiol. 2009;6(11):756–72.e4.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  78. Pickhardt PJ, Taylor AJ, Kim DH, Reichelderfer M, Gopal DV, Pfau PR. Screening for colorectal neoplasia with CT colonography: initial experience from the 1st year of coverage by third-party payers. Radiology. 2006;241(2):417–25.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Diagnostic Radiology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA

    Dhakshina Moorthy Ganeshan MD & Khaled M. Elsayes MD

  2. Department of Radiology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA

    David J. Vining MD

Authors
  1. Dhakshina Moorthy Ganeshan MD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Khaled M. Elsayes MD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. David J. Vining MD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Dhakshina Moorthy Ganeshan MD .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Diagnostic Radiology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA

    Khaled M. Elsayes MD

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2015 Springer Science+Business Media New York

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Ganeshan, D.M., Elsayes, K.M., Vining, D.J. (2015). Overview of CT Colonography. In: Elsayes, K.M. (eds) Cross-Sectional Imaging of the Abdomen and Pelvis. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-1884-3_11

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-1884-3_11

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4939-1883-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4939-1884-3

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation