It has been a while since we last talked about CT Colonography. The results of the American College of Radiology Imaging Network’s (ACRIN) CT Colonography trial — which determined that virtual colonoscopy is comparable to standard colonoscopy in its ability to accurately detect polyps — were published in the Sept. 18 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
ACR member, C. Daniel Johnson, M.D., of the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Ariz., was the study’s principal investigator. We expect the results of this trial to make a large impact on the number of patients being screened for colon cancer, increase early detection, and ultimately help save lives.
The preliminary results of this large, multi-center trial were presented at the ACRIN annual meeting last fall. Milestones since the initial presentation have been the adoption of CTC as a recommended screening tool by the ACR, the American Cancer Society, and the U.S. Multi-Society Task Force on Colorectal Cancer, and the initiation of a national coverage analysis (NCA) for the use of screening CT Colonography for colorectal cancer issued by CMS.
Below is a video summarizing the ACRIN CT Colonography trial results. Click on the arrow for the video to begin playing.
It is widely known that screening rates for colorectal cancer are low. How do you think the results of the ACRIN trial will impact you and your practice in terms of screening rates, reimbursement for the exam, and the need to undergo any further educational training?
I look forward to your thoughts.
I've been doing VC for almost two years. It is time consuming but a necessary part of the procedures we must offer for the pubic at large.
Posted by: G David Dixon, MD | September 22, 2008 at 11:25 AM