A new study reveals a CT-scan-based form of virtual colonoscopy not requiring laxative preparation appears to be as effective as a colonoscopy in identifying high-risk intestinal polyps, according to a news release.
The study was conducted by a Massachusetts General Hospital-based research team and the results appear in the May 15 issue of Annals of Internal Medicine.
The technique uses computer-aided systems to virtually cleanse as well as analyze images. Through this approach, it was possible to identify more than 90 percent of the adenomas that were 10 mm or larger.
"While we know that colon screening can save lives, not enough people participate, in part because of the discomfort of the required laxative preparation," said lead researcher Michael Zalis, MD, director of CT Colonography at MGH Imaging, in the release. "In our study, the laxative-free form of CT colonography performed well enough that it might someday become an option for screening, which we hope would increase patient participation."
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