Virtual colonoscopy and 16-slice MDCT colonography in colorectal cancer

Full text: The aim of this presentation is to present possibilities that actual multislice computed tomography offers for visualization of colo-rectal cancer. Spiral computed tomography is principal way for abdominal cavity evaluation. The possibilities that today offer the virtual colonoscopy increase the interest of the investigators. The technique of examination, patient preparation, patient irradiation, patient acceptance, diagnostic performance, clinical acceptance, indication is discussed. The virtual colonoscopy is considered like an examination easy and quick to perform, better tolerated than optical colonoscopy. It assures both luminal and wall visualization and a look of the entire abdominal cavity. The specificity and sensibility of the study is high. Patient irradiation is comparable to barium enema. As malignant degeneration of a polyp occurs very slowly, the colorectal cancer can thus be avoided by terms of virtual colonoscopy. Further technical improvement and wide multicentric studies will help the acceptability of the method like screening of colorectal carcinomas