U.S. Department of Defense
Date of this Version
2011
Abstract
The format of this eminently readable hardcover volume is logically arranged in 2 sections: Part 1 accounts for about 50% of the book and consists of 12 text-based chapters; part 2 consists of conventional atlas images. All told there are nearly 700 images included throughout the book. Part 1 begins with an overview of the history and development of CTC, placing the technology in historical and clinical context for the reader. This is followed by various first-person reports regarding the global implementation of CTC from a panel of international investigators. Although not necessarily relevant to a US audience, this section is nevertheless illustrative to the reader for highlighting the similarities and differences with regard to the development and implementation of CTC throughout the world. Clinical trial data and conclusions from pivotal CTC trials from the United States and Europe are presented with balanced and thoughtful commentary by the authors, placing the most important clinical data at the reader’s fingertips and nicely differentiating data and conclusions of CTC screening trials from other trials utilizing CTC in a more diagnostic role. The tone of the book seamlessly moves from the research arena to a discussion of the practical aspects of CTC, including topics such as patient selection and preparation, a “how-to” explanation of optimizing CTC performance parameters and methods, and descriptions of reallife CTC screening programs. This is followed by a discussion of more controversial topics inherent in the practice of CTC, including the ability of CTC to detect nonpolypoid and extracolonic lesions, as well as a glimpse into the possible future with an overview of computeraided detection and magnetic resonance colonography.
Comments
Published in GASTROENTEROLOGY (2011)141:1946–1948