Dear CT Insider,
CT has proved itself to be a crucial tool for the diagnosis and management of disease. But in this month's Insider Exclusive, we're highlighting a study that shows the modality could also offer opportunities to improve overall population health by boosting screening exam rates, particularly for colorectal cancer (CRC).
Why? In part because patients are familiar with CT, and one CRC screening method is CT colonography, says a team from Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.
In fact, in related research, a group from the University of Wisconsin in Madison found that CT colonography with a polyp size threshold of 10 mm or larger was more effective than multitarget stool DNA and fecal immunochemical testing for diagnosing advanced neoplasia -- results that further support the idea that the modality could serve as a useful way to increase CRC screening adherence.
Beyond colon cancer, CT offers a wide range of benefits within the healthcare continuum. Check out what researchers from Children's Hospital Colorado in Aurora have to say about using artificial intelligence with the modality to help clinicians identify children who have been physically abused. Then discover what a team from the University of California, Los Angeles found regarding how CT mobile stroke units dramatically improve patient outcomes.
From there, take a look at our coverage of a study that suggests CT can help clinicians monitor the health of obese patients. On the COVID-19 front, a group of German researchers shared tips on how to evaluate COVID-19 chest CT workflow patterns to prepare for the next pandemic, and a team from China said that adding deep learning to CT exams helps the modality better distinguish COVID-19 from other pneumonias.
Finally, earlier this month, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force updated its CT lung cancer screening recommendation, lowering the start age from 55 to 50 and adjusting smoking history from 30 pack years to 20. But the task force is also emphasizing the importance of shared decision-making for lung cancer screening, and not everyone agrees that this is either possible or desirable.
CT is such a versatile and dynamic modality. We invite you to visit our CT Community often for the most current news and research developments.
