Colorectal Cancer News

New Scope Gives Doctors a Better Look at Colon Polyps

A new camera called the Third Eye Retroscope allows doctors to see parts of the colon previously not visible in a traditional colonoscopy.

Dr. Owen Maat, a gastroenterologist at Memorial Hermann southwest Hospital has performed 250-300 colonscopies using this new technology, and he believes it will become the new standard in colorectal cancer care.

Six to 24 percent of polyps may be missed in a traditional colonscopy, Dr. Maat said. “It always eats at you as a doctor. Those are examples of where the technology, despite our best efforts, falls far short.”

The Third Eye Retroscope aims to fix the problem of being unable to get a comprehensive look at the colon, analogous to backing a car down a winding street while looking forward, according to Dr. Maat. This device’s camera flips into a U-shape, providing the doctor with a “rear-view mirror.”

The biggest obstacle to widespread use is that Medicare will not reimburse its use, although changes are expected to made sometime this year.

References
Morris, Mike. New Scope Gives Doctors a Better Look at Colon Polyps. The Chronicle. 2010 June 16.

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