Open AccessVirtual gastrointestinal colonoscopy in combination with large bowel endoscopy: Clinical application
Author(s) -
Qing He,
T. Uma Maheswara Rao,
Yong-Song Guan
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
world journal of gastroenterology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.427
H-Index - 155
eISSN - 2219-2840
pISSN - 1007-9327
DOI - 10.3748/wjg.v20.i38.13820
Subject(s) - colonoscopy , medicine , colorectal cancer , virtual colonoscopy , magnetic resonance imaging , positron emission tomography , endoscopy , radiology , stage (stratigraphy) , disease , inflammatory bowel disease , ulcerative colitis , population , modalities , cancer , paleontology , social science , environmental health , sociology , biology
Although colorectal cancer (CRC) has no longer been the leading cancer killer worldwide for years with the exponential development in computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging, and positron emission tomography/CT as well as virtual colonoscopy for early detection, the CRC related mortality is still high. The objective of CRC screening is to reduce the burden of CRC and thereby the morbidity and mortality rates of the disease. It is believed that this goal can be achieved by regularly screening the average-risk population, enabling the detection of cancer at early, curable stages, and polyps before they become cancerous. Large-scale screening with multimodality imaging approaches plays an important role in reaching that goal to detect polyps, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis and CRC in early stage. This article reviews kinds of presentative imaging procedures for various screening options and updates detecting, staging and re-staging of CRC patients for determining the optimal therapeutic method and forecasting the risk of CRC recurrence and the overall prognosis. The combination use of virtual colonoscopy and conventional endoscopy, advantages and limitations of these modalities are also discussed.