Computed Tomography Colonoscopy

In: Clinical Management of Bowel Endometriosis · 2020 · pp. 97–109 · doi:10.1007/978-3-030-50446-5_9 · W3083060026
book-chapter OA: closed CC0
Full text JSON View on OpenAlex View at publisher
AI-generated summary by claude@2026-07+body, 2026-07-19

Computed tomography colonoscopy accurately assesses intestinal endometriotic nodules, their extent, and proximity to the anal verge, providing a comprehensive view essential for surgical planning.

One-sentence paraphrase of the abstract; not a substitute for reading it. No clinical advice. How this works

Full text 11,167 characters · extracted from oa-doi-fallback · 2 sections · click to expand

Abstract

The aim of this chapter is to introduce the role of computed tomography colonoscopy (CTC) for the diagnosis of bowel endometriosis. CTC provides accurate information on the characteristic of endometriotic intestinal nodule and precisely assess the distance between its localization and the anal verge. A further relevant advantage of this radiologic exam is that it provides an overview of the whole colon and, in particular, of the intestinal nodules which are located above the sigmoid colon. Considering that in 39% of cases bowel lesions are multifocal, a complete assessment of the colon is essential to detect all endometriotic lesions before surgery; in fact, multiple endometriotic nodules on the digestive tract may require multiple segmental bowel resections or disc excisions. CTC is a quick outpatient exam with high spatial resolution, and it allows scanning the abdomen within seconds; moreover, it is safe and minimally painful for the patients, not requiring analgesia or sedation. Colonic distension with CO2 and combination of prone and supine positions provide better estimation of digestive tract narrowness than that of any other imaging techniques. However, CTC should not be considered as an alternative to TVS or MRI, because these imaging techniques provide a better assessment of deep pelvic endometriosis, ovarian endometriomas, and uterine adenomyosis. Access this chapter Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout Purchases are for personal use only Similar content being viewed by others

References

Vining DJ, Gelfand DW, Bechtold RE, Scharding ES, Grishaw EK, Shifrin RY. Technical feasibility of colon imaging with helical CT and virtual reality. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 1994;162:104. Laghi A. Computed tomography colonography in 2014: an update on technique and indications. World J Gastroenterol. 2014;20(45):16858–67. Lin JS, Piper MA, Perdue LA, Rutter CM, Webber EM, O’Connor E, et al. Screening for colorectal cancer: updated evidence report and systematic review for the US Preventive Services Task Force. JAMA. 2016;315(23):2576–94. Spada C, Stoker J, Alarcon O, Barbaro F, Bellini D, Bretthauer M, et al. Clinical indications for computed tomographic colonography: European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) and European Society of Gastrointestinal and Abdominal Radiology (ESGAR) guideline. Endoscopy. 2014;46(10):897–915. Zannoni L, Del Forno S, Coppola F, Papadopoulos D, Valerio D, Golfieri R, et al. Comparison of transvaginal sonography and computed tomography-colonography with contrast media and urographic phase for diagnosing deep infiltrating endometriosis of the posterior compartment of the pelvis: a pilot study. Jpn J Radiol. 2017;35(9):546–54. Coppola F, Paradisi R, Zanardi S, Papadopoulos D, Gramenzi A, Valerio D, et al. Computed tomography-colonography with intravenous contrast medium and urographic phase for the evaluation of pelvic deep infiltrating endometriosis of intestinal and urinary tract. J Comput Assist Tomogr. 2019;43(3):513–8. Roman H, Carilho J, Da Costa C, De Vecchi C, Suaud O, Monroc M, et al. Computed tomography-based virtual colonoscopy in the assessment of bowel endometriosis: the surgeon’s point of view. Gynecol Obstet Fertil. 2016;44(1):3–10. van der Wat J, Kaplan MD. Modified virtual colonoscopy: a noninvasive technique for the diagnosis of rectovaginal septum and deep infiltrating pelvic endometriosis. J Minim Invasive Gynecol. 2007;14(5):638–43. Jeong SY, Chung DJ, Myung Yeo D, Lim YT, Hahn ST, Lee JM. The usefulness of computed tomographic colonography for evaluation of deep infiltrating endometriosis: comparison with magnetic resonance imaging. J Comput Assist Tomogr. 2013;37(5):809–14. Park SH, Yee J, Kim SH, Kim YH. Fundamental elements for successful performance of CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy). Korean J Radiol. 2007;8(4):264–75. Koutoukos I, Langebrekke A, Young V, Qvigstad E. Imaging of endometriosis with computerized tomography colonography. Fertil Steril. 2011;95(1):259–60. Mahgerefteh S, Fraifeld S, Blachar A, Sosna J. CT colonography with decreased purgation: balancing preparation, performance, and patient acceptance. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2009;193(6):1531–9. van der Wat J, Kaplan MD. Modified virtual colonoscopy in the diagnosis and quantification of bowel and disseminated endometriosis. Surg Technol Int. 2015;26:19–24. Racca A, Biscaldi E, Remorgida V, Leone Roberti Maggiore U, Vellone VG, Venturini PL, et al. Computed tomographic colonography in the diagnosis of recto-sigmoid endometriosis: a pilot study. J Minim Invasive Gynecol. 2015;22(6S):S28–S9. Mehedintu C, Brinduse LA, Bratila E, Monroc M, Lemercier E, Suaud O, et al. Does computed tomography-based virtual colonoscopy improve the accuracy of preoperative assessment based on magnetic resonance imaging in women managed for colorectal endometriosis? J Minim Invasive Gynecol. 2018;25(6):1009–17. Baggio S, Zecchin A, Pomini P, Zanconato G, Genna M, Motton M, et al. The role of computed tomography colonography in detecting bowel involvement in women with deep infiltrating endometriosis: comparison with clinical history, serum Ca125, and transvaginal sonography. J Comput Assist Tomogr. 2016;40(6):886–91. Vassilieff M, Suaud O, Collet-Savoye C, Da Costa C, Marouteau-Pasquier N, Belhiba H, et al. [Computed tomography-based virtual colonoscopy: an examination useful for the choice of the surgical management of colorectal endometriosis]. Gynecol Obstet Fertil. 2011;39(6):339–45. Shinners TJ, Pickhardt PJ, Taylor AJ, Jones DA, Olsen CH. Patient-controlled room air insufflation versus automated carbon dioxide delivery for CT colonography. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2006;186(6):1491–6. Ferrero S, Biscaldi E, Vellone VG, Venturini PL, Leone Roberti Maggiore U. Computed tomographic colonography vs rectal water-contrast transvaginal sonography in diagnosis of rectosigmoid endometriosis: a pilot study. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. 2017;49(4):515–23. Taylor SA, Halligan S, Goh V, Morley S, Bassett P, Atkin W, et al. Optimizing colonic distention for multi-detector row CT colonography: effect of hyoscine butylbromide and rectal balloon catheter. Radiology. 2003;229(1):99–108. Yee J, Kumar NN, Hung RK, Akerkar GA, Kumar PR, Wall SD. Comparison of supine and prone scanning separately and in combination at CT colonography. Radiology. 2003;226(3):653–61. Chen SC, Lu DS, Hecht JR, Kadell BM. CT colonography: value of scanning in both the supine and prone positions. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 1999;172(3):595–9. Iannaccone R, Laghi A, Catalano C, Brink JA, Mangiapane F, Trenna S, et al. Detection of colorectal lesions: lower-dose multi-detector row helical CT colonography compared with conventional colonoscopy. Radiology. 2003;229(3):775–81. Neri E, Vagli P, Picchietti S, Vannozzi F, Linsalata S, Bardine A, et al. CT colonography: contrast enhancement of benign and malignant colorectal lesions versus fecal residuals. Abdom Imaging. 2005;30(6):694–7. Oto A, Gelebek V, Oguz BS, Sivri B, Deger A, Akhan O, et al. CT attenuation of colorectal polypoid lesions: evaluation of contrast enhancement in CT colonography. Eur Radiol. 2003;13(7):1657–63. Morrin MM, Farrell RJ, Kruskal JB, Reynolds K, McGee JB, Raptopoulos V. Utility of intravenously administered contrast material at CT colonography. Radiology. 2000;217(3):765–71. Tzambouras N, Katsanos KH, Tsili A, Papadimitriou K, Efremidis S, Tsianos EV. CT colonoscopy for obstructive sigmoid endometriosis: a new technique for an old problem. Eur J Intern Med. 2002;13(4):274–5. Nisenblat V, Bossuyt PM, Farquhar C, Johnson N, Hull ML. Imaging modalities for the non-invasive diagnosis of endometriosis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016;(2):CD009591. Guerriero S, Condous G, Van den Bosch T, Valentin L, Leone FP, Van Schoubroeck D, et al. Systematic approach to sonographic evaluation of the pelvis in women with suspected endometriosis, including terms, definitions and measurements: a consensus opinion from the International Deep Endometriosis Analysis (IDEA) group. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. 2016;48:318. Menada MV, Remorgida V, Abbamonte LH, Fulcheri E, Ragni N, Ferrero S. Transvaginal ultrasonography combined with water-contrast in the rectum in the diagnosis of rectovaginal endometriosis infiltrating the bowel. Fertil Steril. 2008;89(3):699–700. Valenzano Menada M, Remorgida V, Abbamonte LH, Nicoletti A, Ragni N, Ferrero S. Does transvaginal ultrasonography combined with water-contrast in the rectum aid in the diagnosis of rectovaginal endometriosis infiltrating the bowel? Hum Reprod. 2008;23(5):1069–75. Ferrero S, Biscaldi E, Morotti M, Venturini PL, Remorgida V, Rollandi GA, et al. Multidetector computerized tomography enteroclysis vs. rectal water contrast transvaginal ultrasonography in determining the presence and extent of bowel endometriosis. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. 2011;37(5):603–13. Leone Roberti Maggiore U, Biscaldi E, Vellone VG, Venturini PL, Ferrero S. Magnetic resonance enema vs rectal water-contrast transvaginal sonography in diagnosis of rectosigmoid endometriosis. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. 2017;49(4):524–32. Barra F, Carolina S, Vellone VG, Stabilini C, Ferrero S. A prospective comparative study for the evaluation of bowel stenosis degree in women with rectosigmoid endometriosis. Category – Gynaecological imaging. BJOG. 2019;126(S2):1470–0328. Chapron C, Fauconnier A, Vieira M, Barakat H, Dousset B, Pansini V, et al. Anatomical distribution of deeply infiltrating endometriosis: surgical implications and proposition for a classification. Hum Reprod. 2003;18(1):157–61. Loubeyre P, Petignat P, Jacob S, Egger JF, Dubuisson JB, Wenger JM. Anatomic distribution of posterior deeply infiltrating endometriosis on MRI after vaginal and rectal gel opacification. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2009;192(6):1625–31. Loubeyre P, Copercini M, Frossard JL, Wenger JM, Petignat P. Pictorial review: rectosigmoid endometriosis on MRI with gel opacification after rectosigmoid colon cleansing. Clin Imaging. 2012;36(4):295–300. Biscaldi E, Ferrero S, Leone Roberti Maggiore U, Remorgida V, Venturini PL, Rollandi GA. Multidetector computerized tomography enema versus magnetic resonance enema in the diagnosis of rectosigmoid endometriosis. Eur J Radiol. 2014;83(2):261–7. Kikuchi I, Kuwatsuru R, Yamazaki K, Kumakiri J, Aoki Y, Takeda S. Evaluation of the usefulness of the MRI jelly method for diagnosing complete cul-de-sac obliteration. Biomed Res Int. 2014;2014:437962. Author information Authors and Affiliations Editor information Editors and Affiliations 9.1 Electronic Supplementary Material (MP4 9967 kb) Rights and permissions Copyright information © 2020 Springer Nature Switzerland AG About this chapter Cite this chapter Barra, F., Biscaldi, E., Ferrero, S. (2020). Computed Tomography Colonoscopy. In: Ferrero, S., Ceccaroni, M. (eds) Clinical Management of Bowel Endometriosis. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-50446-5_9 Download citation DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-50446-5_9 Published: Publisher Name: Springer, Cham Print ISBN: 978-3-030-50445-8 Online ISBN: 978-3-030-50446-5 eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Text is read by the "Ask this paper" AI Q&A widget below. Extraction quality varies by source — PMC NXML preserves structure cleanly, OA-HTML may include some navigation residue, and OA-PDF can have broken hyphenation. The publisher copy (via DOI) is the canonical version.

My notes (saved in your browser only)

Ask this paper AI returns verbatim quotes from the full text · source: oa-doi-fallback

Answers must be backed by verbatim quotes from this paper's full text. Hallucinated quotes are dropped automatically; if no verbatim passage answers the question, we say so. How this works

Citation neighborhood

Papers in the corpus that this work cites (lower rings, blue) and that cite this one (upper rings, green). Dot size scales with the paper's in-corpus citation count — bigger dot = more influential within the endo/adeno field. Click a dot to open that paper. [ expand to 2 hops ] — adds papers reached through this work's immediate citers/citees. Heavier; up to 60 extra dots.

References (39)

Source provenance

openalex
last seen: 2026-06-10T17:14:06.276822+00:00
License: CC0 · commercial use OK