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CTC Technique and Methods of Interpreting Images

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CT Colonography for Radiographers

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Abstract

CT colonography (CTC) is a minimally invasive, fast, safe and accurate screening examination for colorectal cancer. It also allows evaluation of structures outside the colon. There have been several changes in the performance of a study since it was first used in 1994. A successful CTC examination requires the use of an automated pressure-controlled carbon dioxide insufflator, a well-prepared colon, the use of tagging, an adequately distended colon and correct positioning for two-view series and additional view scans. CTC produces two-dimensional (2D) images and three-dimensional (3D) endoluminal views, and software is required to interpret them. How to perform a CTC study is described step by step. Performing a CTC after an incomplete optical colonoscopy (OC) is discussed, with a caveat of assessing whether free air is present before commencing the study. A colonic classification table is used for reporting CTC findings. CTC images are presented to illustrate differentiation of a polypoidal lesion and stool, as well as interpretation of images, and measurement of polyps. The role of translucent display is illustrated with examples.

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Acknowledgements

Viatronix V3D workstation image courtesy of Viatronix, Stony Brook, New York.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. LSG Imaging, Los Angeless, CA, USA

    Joel H. Bortz MBChB, DMRD, FRCR, FFRRCS

Authors
  1. Joel H. Bortz MBChB, DMRD, FRCR, FFRRCS
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Correspondence to Joel H. Bortz MBChB, DMRD, FRCR, FFRRCS .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. LSG Imaging, Los Angeles, California, USA

    Joel H. Bortz

  2. Diagnostic Radiography and Imaging, University of Hertfordshire, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom

    Aarthi Ramlaul

  3. Formerly School of Radiography, King Edward VIII Hospital, Durban, KZN, South Africa

    Leonie Munro

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© 2016 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

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Bortz, J.H. (2016). CTC Technique and Methods of Interpreting Images. In: Bortz, J., Ramlaul, A., Munro, L. (eds) CT Colonography for Radiographers. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-29379-0_10

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-29379-0_10

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-29377-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-29379-0

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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