SUMMARY
The research of C. Dan Johnson, M.D., involves the development of a full structural colorectal screening examination using CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy) in both the prepared and the unprepared colon. This research interest includes evaluation of examination performance, patient acceptance, cost-effectiveness, image display technology, software development and CT technology as it applies to this application.
Focus areas
- Evaluation of the sensitivity and specificity of CT colonography, including interobserver and intraobserver variability.
- Increasing patient and referring physician acceptance of CT colonography as a colonoscopy alternative.
- Various morphologies of colorectal neoplasia within different locations in the large bowel and ways to increase detection of lesions that are difficult to find.
Significance to patient care
Colorectal cancer is a major cause of cancer-related deaths. In most cases, colorectal lesions begin in a form that will not cause harm and slowly get bigger. Some of these lesions will become cancerous.
There is a unique opportunity to detect and remove these harmless or early-stage lesions using CT colonography. Finding and removing these lesions reduces cancer-related deaths, potentially saving thousands of lives each year. CT colonography does not require sedation or a driver after the procedure.