Emerging Perspectives on Computed Tomography Colonography

Despite a number of practical benefits for patients and having comparable detection rates to conventional colonoscopy for colorectal cancer, computed tomography colonography (CTC) remains significantly underutilized. In fact, a recently published survey of over 13,700 people between the ages of 50 to 75 found that only 1.4 percent of respondents had CTC for colorectal cancer screening.

Various authors have pointed to the lack of Medicare coverage as a key factor in the limited access and use of CTC. Noting the potential impact CTC could have in improving colorectal cancer screening rates in at-risk populations, the American College of Radiology recently wrote a formal request to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), urging the organization to reconsider non-coverage of CTC for Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries.

With this in mind, Syam Reddy, MD, Judy Yee, MD and Anand Narayan, MD, recently spoke with Diagnostic Imaging to discuss the benefits of CTC, limitations of access to the procedure and suggested steps for potentially resolving this issue.

Watch the video below: