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Review
. 2007 Dec 15;335(7632):1260-2.
doi: 10.1136/bmj.39379.598090.AD.

Investigating rectal bleeding

David Burling  1 , James E East, Stuart A Taylor
Affiliations
Review

Investigating rectal bleeding

David Burling et al. BMJ. .

Abstract

Conventional colonoscopy is considered the optimal investigation for rectal bleeding; however, this article explores the use of virtual colonoscopy as a new investigative technique

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests: DB and SAT are remunerated consultants and hold share options for Medicsight (London), which develops computed tomography software. DB has received remuneration for consultant advice to Barco (Edinburgh), which also develops such software.

Figures

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Fig 1 Three dimensional virtual colonoscopy “endoluminal” display of the transverse colon showing thin haustral folds and smooth normal mucosa
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Fig 2 A 23 mm rectal “polyp” cancer displayed in three ways. Top: Virtual colonoscopy three dimensional display. Centre: Two dimensional sagittal computed tomogram showing polyp on posterior wall of rectum surrounded by gas. Bottom: Conventional colonoscopy showing snare around polyp before diathermy excision
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Fig 3 High power view of rectal polyp showing tumour budding (arrow) and lymphovascular invasion (arrow head) indicating that the polyp was high risk for nodal metastasis
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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