Fewer Colonscopies

A Belgian study has found that PET/CT is 100% successful in diagnosing active Crohn's disease. PET, or Positron emission tomography, involves injecting the patient with a radioisotope, and watching for its decay. CT, Computed Tomography, is where multiple x-rays are taken in quick succession, and a computer combines them to form a 3D image. When referred to as PET/CT it indicates that the two procedures are done at the same time, using one integrated machine, which allows the results from each to be correlated.

Regarding the use of PET/CT for Crohn's investigation, the researcher noted:

"The big advantage of PET/CT is that it is noninvasive, simple, fast and without any side effects. There was no preparation for the patients, except that they fasted for six hours. Each study took less than 20 minutes," said Hustinx. "If the PET/CT is positive, the doctor should confirm the results using endoscopy. If the PET/CT is negative, there would be no need for the endoscopy—given the high negative predictive value of the technique," he added.

This compares very favourably with a colonoscopy, where the patient undertakes a day of strict diet, a day of fasting, and then fasting on the day of the procedure. There are also some minor risks with a colonoscopy, such as bowel perforation.

The only problem I can see with PET/CT is the exposure to radiation, which is about 3 times the annual background radiation for PET and 4 times background for CT.