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"New studies about "virtual" colonoscopy suggest that the colon cancer screening technique, though not ready to replace the gold-standard conventional procedures, might someday be an effective alternative. In the Annals of Internal Medicine, scientists report that the latest virtual screenings - which create 3-D images of the colon with CT scans rather than scopes - found polyps in the rectum and behind folds in the colon that conventional colonoscopies missed. In an accompanying editorial, David Lieberman, chief of gastroenterology at Oregon Health and Science University, wrote that doctors should take extra care to check these newly identified blind spots." - Source http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2004-09-06-colon-usat_x.htm A probe-free colonoscopy? By Liz Szabo, USA TODAY Posted 9/6/2004 9:04 PM Updated 9/7/2004 1:16 PM New studies about "virtual" colonoscopy suggest that the colon cancer screening technique, though not ready to replace the gold-standard conventional procedures, might someday be an effective alternative. In today's Annals of Internal Medicine, scientists report that the latest virtual screenings � which create 3-D images of the colon with CT scans rather than scopes � found polyps in the rectum and behind folds in the colon that conventional colonoscopies missed. In an accompanying editorial, David Lieberman, chief of gastroenterology at Oregon Health and Science University, wrote that doctors should take extra care to check these newly identified blind spots. Although many doctors offer older, 2-D virtual screenings, the best tests are available at only 50 to 100 U.S. centers, says Perry Pickhardt, a University of Wisconsin Medical School radiologist and the study's lead author. As 3-D technology becomes more available, he says, patients might first opt for a CT screening � a less invasive procedure, although the prep is the same � than undergo a conventional procedure to remove polyps, if necessary. Patients might one day be able to have both tests at specialized colon centers, such as the one at the University of Wisconsin. About 5% of patients who get virtual screenings there have conventional procedures to have polyps removed the same day, Pickhardt says. His success persuaded four insurers in Madison, Wis., to cover virtual colon screenings. Researchers also are working to develop a "prepless" virtual colonoscopy that would not require patients to take strong laxatives the day before the procedure, Pickhardt says. Still, it's too soon to endorse virtual colonoscopy, according to an expert panel assembled by the American Gastroenterological Association, whose analysis was just published in Gastroenterology. First, other doctors have to prove that they can reproduce Pickhardt's results, says Emmet Keeffe, the association's president. Doctors and patients also will have to decide how to tackle polyps, which can be removed only by conventional colonoscopy. Pickhardt recommends taking out only large growths and monitoring small growths through virtual exams. Many patients would not be willing to wait to remove polyps, though, Keeffe says. Providing two colonoscopies could be expensive, considering that half of Pickhardt's patients had at least one polyp. _________________________________________________________________ Don�t just search. Find. Check out the new MSN Search! http://search.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200636ave/direct/01/ Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/E-MAIL_TRIVIA/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
