One of the more interesting areas of the ever changing world of body imaging has been the development of imaging techniques such as conventional CAT scanners and MRI units and the adaptation of software to look at the human body in new and exciting ways. One such advance has been extensive research in developing new techniques in order to better evaluate the colon for polyps and cancers. One such area called Virtual Colonoscopy uses very fast CAT scanners called spiral or helical CT units with special software. In this technique, patients are scanned as they would for a routine abdominal CT, but with the added special software a 3-D image of the colon can be made allowing the imager the ability to screen the colon for polyps or cancers. Now to date, this technique is still very much in its infancy, but it has been proposed by some that some day it will replace colonoscopy as a means to mass screen patients for polyps and cancers, thus potentially eliminating colonoscopy for only those cases in which polyps are found that need to be removed, or masses that need biopsy. This same technique is being investigated with special MRI units also.

To date, one of the limiting aspects of virtual colonoscopy has been the software processing time, with several hours required to reconfigure these images in order for interpretation, but as with all issues with computing even this will be overcome. Other issues center around cost. In order for a screening test to proliferate their must be cost effectiveness. At present the hardware & software costs along with the processing time make this procedure not ideal for mass screening for colon cancer. In addition, at present, there is little in the formal training in this new technique. To date, most of the research in this area has been at academic departments of radiology. An interesting question, not yet addressed by the gastroenterology community, should not gastroenterologist be involved and active in the training of this new technology. For more information on colon cancer and screening....its just a click away!

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