| [ Summary ] |
Computed tomographic colonography (CTC) is a new technique for detecting colonic neoplasms. Compared to conventional colonoscopy, there are several problems, with CTC as follows: (1) misdiagnosis, due to food residue or spasms which may be seen as neoplasms, (2) overly long radiogram interpretation times, (3) difficulties in detecting flat elevated neoplasms, and (4) radiation exposure. On the other hand, the following advantages may be considered : (1) the examination time is held to a few minutes, (2) even if the patient has a very elongated colon or adhesions after abdominal surgery, examinations are easy, (3) CTC can indicate the correct location, the range, and the size of tumors, (4) CTC permits evaluation of the region proximal to a severe stenosis associated with advanced cancer which is often not possible with conventional colonoscopy, (5) CTC can be investigated in retrospective studies, and (6) there are not severe complications with CTC examination. Additionally, the fecal tagging method resolves some of the above listed problems. These characteristics of CTC, using some case examples with, obtained CTC images and conventional colonographs are elucidated. |