Early experiences with computed axial tomography colonography

Background Computed axial tomography (CT) colonography is the latest radiologic technique to be used to image the large bowel. We studied its role as a diagnostic tool in colorectal practice. Methods One hundred and three patients suspected of having colorectal pathology underwent CT colonography. Results CT colonography suggested a diagnosis of colonic carcinoma in 18 patients, and 17 of these underwent surgery. A colorectal neoplasm was not found in only 1 patient who had extrinsic colonic compression by an ovarian cyst. Twenty-one patients had suspected colonic polyps on scanning. Subsequent endoscopy in 19 of these patients confirmed the presence of polyps in only 10. CT colonography also revealed valuable extracolonic pathology: 8 occult noncolonic neoplasms and 163 other incidental findings. Conclusions CT colonography has good patient compliance and is a useful diagnostic modality in detecting colorectal neoplasms. Its main advantage over other such investigative tools is its ability to detect extracolonic pathology.