Colorectal cancer other imaging findings

To view the other imaging findings of familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), click here
To view the other imaging findings of hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC), click here

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Saarah T. Alkhairy, M.D.

Other imaging tests that can be used for colorectal cancer are endoscopy, PET scan, barium study, and angiography.

• It is also known as CT colonography.
• CT colonography replaces X-ray films in the double contrast barium enema with a special computed tomography scan and requires special workstation software in order for the radiologist to interpret.
• This technique is approaching colonoscopy in sensitivity for polyps.
• However, any polyps found must still be removed by standard colonoscopy.^[1]

• Cancer cells in the body grow rapidly, so they absorb the radioactive sugar fluorodeoxyglucose or FDG used in positron emission tomography (PET).
• The location and extent of the tumor mass can be determined using a PET scan.
• Also, metastatic lesions and their locations can be assessed using a PET scan.
• PET scans are evolving as a very useful modality for staging and assessment of colorectal cancers.
• PET-CT scan has the advantage tissue based resolution and is useful in detecting whole body metastasis.

• First, an overnight preparation is taken to cleanse the colon.
• An enema containing barium sulfate is administered, then air is insufflated into the colon, distending it.
• The result is a thin layer of barium over the inner lining of the colon which is visible on X-ray films.
• A cancer or a precancerous polyp can be detected this way.
• This technique can miss the (less common) flat polyp. Barium study can be used to delineate the lesion preoperatively.

Template:WikiDoc Sources