No Difference In Efficacy Of CT Colonography And Standard Colonoscopy In Patients 65 And Older.

Studies have previously showed CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy) has performance equivalent to standard optical colonoscopy in patients between 50 and 65 years of age (Johnson, etal, New England Journal of Medicin, Sept 18, 2008). Much debate has centered over the accuracy of CTC in patients 65 years and older. A recent study in Radiology (Johnston et al, Feb 23, 2012) showed similar performance in the over 65 age range as compared to the 65 and under patient population. In conjunction with other studies the validity of CTC for colorectal cancer screening continues to be proven. SJRA joins the ACR in calling on CMS to reconsider its decision to not cover this potentially life saving technique.