Colonoscopy aided by magnetic 3D imaging: Is the technique sufficiently sensitive to detect differences between men and women?

Rowland, R. S.; Bell, G. D.; Dogramadzi, S.; Allen, C.

Abstract

Colonoscopy tends to be more difficult to perform in women. Women also experience more pain during flexible sigmoidoscopy, and the mean insertion distance of the instrument is less than in men. The `Bladen system', first described in 1993, is a non-radiological method of continuously visualizing the path of the endoscope using magnetic drive coils under the patient and a chain of sensors up the biopsy channel of the instrument. In 1998, results were published that used a novel computer graphics system (the `RMR system'), in which a much more realistic endoscope could be produced using the stored positional data from the Bladen system. The RMR computer graphics system has been further refined to enable measurement of the anatomical lengths of different parts of the large intestine to an accuracy of greater than 5 mm. The system is used to analyze the results obtained in 232 patients undergoing a total colonoscopy. In women, the colonoscope tends to form loops in the sigmoid colon more readily than in men (p

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Jan 1, 1999
• Journal: Medical and Biological Engineering and Computing
• Print ISSN: 0140-0118
• Electronic ISSN: 1741-0444
• Publisher: Springer Verlag
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 37
• Issue: 6
• Pages: 673-679
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02513366
• Keywords: colonoscopy, male/female differences in colonic length, stiffening overtube, 3D computerised magnetic imaging
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/1098629
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF02513366