CT colonography: Single-versus multi-detector row imaging

PURPOSE: To compare respiratory artifacts, colonic distention, and polyp de tection at computed tomographic (CT) colonography by using single- and mult i-detector row helical CT systems. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 237 consecutive patients received subcuta neously administered glucagon and underwent prone and supine CT colonograph y with single-detector row CT (n = 77) and multi-detector row CT (n = 160), followed by colonoscopy. Examination results were graded for colonic diste ntion, respiratory artifacts, and polyp depiction by two radiologists worki ng independently. RESULTS: Suboptimal colonic distention was significantly more common with s ingle-detector row CT and was present in at least one segment in 52% (40 of 77 patients) of examinations versus only 19% (30 of 160 patients) with mul ti-detector row CT (P < .001). Mild respiratory artifacts were present in 6 1% (47 of 77 patients) of single-detector row CT examinations versus only 1 6% (26 of 160 patients) of multi-detector row CT examinations (P < .001). D epiction of polyps larger than 10 mm was 89% (eight of nine polyps) for sin gle-detector row CT and 80% (eight of 10 polyps) for multi-detector row CT (P > .05). CONCLUSION: CT colonography performed with multi-detector row CT significan tly improved the demonstration of colonic distention and depicted fewer res piratory artifacts compared with single-detector row CT. No significant dif ferences in the depiction of polyps larger than 10 mm were demonstrated bet ween single- and multi-detector row CT for a small number of polyps. Studie s with a larger prevalence of clinically important polyps are needed for fu rther evaluation of differences in polyp detection.