Finding polyps during a colonoscopy is the first step in preventing colon cancer. Doctors often use special imaging to see these growths more clearly. This study looked at what happens when they add a computer-aided detection tool to that advanced imaging system.
Researchers compared two groups of doctors. One group used only the enhanced imaging, while the other used both the imaging and a computer-aided detection tool. For most doctors, adding the computer did not change how many polyps they found overall. However, for doctors who typically had lower detection rates, the computer tool significantly improved their ability to find adenomas (the type of growth that can become cancerous).
There are some trade-offs to consider. While the computer helped certain doctors find more polyps, it also led to a slight increase in the time spent withdrawing the scope. Additionally, doctors using the combined system were more likely to remove non-neoplastic polyps, which are growths that do not turn into cancer. Because this study compared current results to older data from a previous trial, the findings should be viewed with some caution.
