Dear AuntMinnie Member,
Results from a new study in Italy highlight the value of virtual colonoscopy for elderly patients, a population that has historically experienced a higher rate of failed procedures with optical colonoscopy.
Investigators from the University of Rome "La Sapienza" used virtual colonoscopy to image elderly patients who had failed conventional colonoscopy studies. The research was presented at the European Congress of Radiology earlier this month, and staff writer Eric Barnes was on hand to report for our Virtual Colonoscopy Digital Community.
The study found that virtual colonoscopy was successful in almost all of the patients with incomplete colonoscopy, and in several cases VC identified additional lesions that weren't detected with conventional colonoscopy when it failed to reach the cecum. Patients also reported good tolerance of the virtual exam.
The study could help virtual colonoscopy carve out a niche as an alternative to colonoscopy in elderly patients or those with potential complicating factors such as diverticular disease. Read all about it by clicking here.
In another article we're featuring, U.S. researchers conducted a 10-year analysis of colon cancer patients and found that three risk factors can contribute to earlier onset of colon disease. They believe their findings could be used to create colon screening guidelines based on individual patient demographics, according to the article, which you can view by clicking here.
Find these stories and more by visiting the Virtual Colonoscopy Digital Community at vc.auntminnie.com.
![Axial images from unenhanced calcium score cardiac CT (left) and curved planar reformation images from CT angiography (right) show that higher long-term exposure to air pollution is associated with greater coronary artery calcium and more obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD). Top row: Images in a 68-year-old male patient with higher 10-year mean ambient air pollution exposure (7.9 μg/m3 for particulate matter measuring ≤2.5 μm in diameter [PM2.5] and 17.4 parts per billion [ppb] for NO2) with extensive CAD (coronary artery calcium score [CACS] >1,000 and obstructive CAD [≥70% diameter stenosis]). Bottom row: Images in a 57-year-old female patient with lower 10-year mean ambient air pollution exposure (6.3 μg/m3 for PM2.5 and 4.6 ppb for NO2) with no CAD (CACS = 0 and no obstructive stenosis).](https://img.auntminnie.com/mindful/smg/workspaces/default/uploads/2026/06/hanneman.r6SMLzkezo.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&dpr=2&fit=crop&h=167&q=70&w=250)
