CT colonography in faecal occult blood test positives

CT colonography is a non-invasive imaging technique to visualise the colon. The colon is insufflated with CO2 or air and a CT-scan of the abdomen is performed. The performance of CT colonography is nearly equal to that of colonoscopy in the detection of large colonic polyps and carcinomas.
This thesis describes the performance of CT colonography in a faecal occult blood test positive screening population. The detection of polyps and carcinomas by CT colonography and the effectiveness of CT colonography as a triage technique for colonoscopy indication were evaluated. Different iodine based bowel preparation schemes were tested in the individuals. Furthermore this thesis describes a learning curve in CT colonography reading by novice CT colonography readers, an evaluation of a 2D versus a 3D reading paradigm and an inventory of CT colonography radiation doses among different research institutions.