Hospital Buyer

New findings validating the use of 3D virtual colonography (CTC) were published in the American Journal of Roentgenology. Assessment of such images in this manner is superior to conventional two dimensional interpretation, researchers from the University of Wisconsin and the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences report.

The team completed a blinded, retrospective study of 730 consecutively examined patients who had colonoscopy proven  colon polyps. The goal of the research was to assess the sensitivity of primary 2D polyp detection compared to 3D.

Studies were reviewed by ten different radiologists with significant experience reviewing CTC who were blinded to polyp findings. They examined 2D images as the primary assessment and 3D evaluation was incorporated for problem solving. V3D Colon software from Viatronix in Stony Brook was used for the trial.

Data was obtained from a previous trial of 1,233 asymptomatic patients who had undergone imaging assessment. The initial trial, sponsored by the Department of Defense, called for patients to undergo same day large CTC and optical colonoscopy.

The team reported that CTC was significantly more sensitive in detecting polyps than primary 2D assessment. This held true across all four categories of polyps (categories based on polyp size). There was an additional level of sensitivity in the detection of polyps greater than 6 mm, both nonadenomatous and adenomatous. Sensitivity was almost twice the rate with 3D versus 2D evaluation at 80.8 percent and 37.9 percent, respectively.

The researchers determined that 3D CTC has a higher rate of sensitivity compared to 2D CTC in detecting polyps among a population of patients with a low prevalence. These findings validate other studies that examined sensitivity of CTC, comparing 2D and 3D methods. Studies which validated 3D colonography for colorectal cancer screening have also been published, as reported on Hospital Buyer.

December 13, 2007 Related topics: Imaging, Diagnostic, Gastroenterology