CT colonography also detects occult aortic aneurysms

Results of a study by Italian and U.S. investigators suggest CT colonography can simultaneously spot colorectal cancer and abdominal aortic aneurysms. Findings could help the case for CTC as a cost-effective screening alternative to optical colonoscopy.

Dr. Perry J. Pickhardt, an associate professor of radiology at the University of Wisconsin Medical School in Madison, and colleagues designed a computer model that simulated CRC and AAA development in a hypothetical cohort of 100,000 Medicare patients aged 65 and older. The system compared costs and survival benefits for both screening methods. Among other findings, it showed that at 10-year screening intervals, CTC could yield 7027 life-years and save $1251 per life-year gained. Optical colonoscopy would extend lives by 995 fewer years and would save $147 less per life-year gained (AJR 2009;192[5]:1332-1340).