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04-13-2004, 07:13 PM
Virtual Colonoscopy Not Ready for Use Yet (http://my.webmd.com/content/article/85/98626.htm?NRMODE=Published&NRORIGINALURL=%2fconten t%2farticle%2f85%2f98626%2ehtm&NRNODEGUID=%7b7620A 130-6096-4865-880D-CEC8FDFC1BE4%7d&lastselectedguid=%7B5FE84E90-BC77-4056-A91C-9531713CA348%7D&NRQUERYTERMINATOR=1&VisitorId={BE4 19950-3711-48C2-B372-CD041FAAD3A6}&printing=true)
Conventional Colonoscopy Still Superior to Virtual in Detecting Polyps
By Jennifer Warner
WebMD Medical News Reviewed By Brunilda Nazario, MD
on Tuesday, April 13, 2004
April 13, 2004 -- Virtual colonoscopy may sound like a good idea, but a new study shows the experimental colon cancer screening technique is not yet ready for widespread use.
Although previous studies have shown that virtual colonoscopy was reasonably accurate at detecting large polyps when performed by an expert, researchers found the computerized screening technique was far less reliable when performed by a large number of doctors at various centers.
Virtual colonoscopy uses computer-generated images of the large colon to detect polyps which can lead to cancerous growths. The technique is less invasive than standard colonoscopy and it involves imaging the colon without having to insert a long scope to view the inside of the colon.
The study showed that virtual colonoscopy detected only about 55% of growths that were at least 10 millimeters in diameter and 39% of smaller growths of at least 6 millimeters. In contrast, conventional colonoscopy had accuracy rates of 99% to 100% in detecting these growths.
Virtual Colonoscopy Needs More Work
<hr>
Stay with the scope method, it's painless.
Conventional Colonoscopy Still Superior to Virtual in Detecting Polyps
By Jennifer Warner
WebMD Medical News Reviewed By Brunilda Nazario, MD
on Tuesday, April 13, 2004
April 13, 2004 -- Virtual colonoscopy may sound like a good idea, but a new study shows the experimental colon cancer screening technique is not yet ready for widespread use.
Although previous studies have shown that virtual colonoscopy was reasonably accurate at detecting large polyps when performed by an expert, researchers found the computerized screening technique was far less reliable when performed by a large number of doctors at various centers.
Virtual colonoscopy uses computer-generated images of the large colon to detect polyps which can lead to cancerous growths. The technique is less invasive than standard colonoscopy and it involves imaging the colon without having to insert a long scope to view the inside of the colon.
The study showed that virtual colonoscopy detected only about 55% of growths that were at least 10 millimeters in diameter and 39% of smaller growths of at least 6 millimeters. In contrast, conventional colonoscopy had accuracy rates of 99% to 100% in detecting these growths.
Virtual Colonoscopy Needs More Work
<hr>
Stay with the scope method, it's painless.