Virtual Colonography And Traditional Colonoscopy Meet At LIFETEST Imaging

NASHVILLE, Tenn., April 29 /PRNewswire/ -- LIFETEST Imaging of Nashville, the only imaging center in Tennessee to offer EBT(TM) technology for early detection of colon cancer, lung-cancer and heart disease, has partnered with Nashville Gastroenterology Consultants, P.C., for the immediate removal of pre-cancerous polyps detected by virtual colonography.

The virtual colonography has become an increasingly popular alternative for people who avoid screening because of the unpleasant traditional colonoscopy.

"Virtual colonography is a reliable, non-invasive, 3D scan of the colon," said Bob Masoner, executive director of LIFETEST America, Inc. "It requires no sedation, allows an immediate return to normal activities and can visualize 100 percent of the colon and even detect abnormalities outside of the colon. But one area where a traditional colonoscopy beats a virtual colonography is the immediate removal of polyps."

Masoner said that while only about eight percent of traditional procedures result in polyp removal, it still represents a major inconvenience. Patients must schedule a traditional colonoscopy and undergo a second bowel cleansing preparation for a different day.

But now, patients who have polyps detected during a virtual colonography can proceed immediately to Nashville Gastroenterology Consultants at the nearby Centennial Hospital.

"We're right across the street," said Dr. Ira Stein of Nashville Gastroenterology Consultants. "It makes sense for the patient and we are happy to be working with LIFETEST on this procedure."

LIFETEST is the only imaging center in Tennessee to offer the high-speed, low-radiation, EBT(TM) technology, which is FDA approved for scanning the heart arteries and has been specifically cleared by the FDA to provide lung scans, EBT angiographies and virtual colonography screening. For more information on LIFETEST imaging procedures, visit http://www.lifetest.com/.

About LIFETEST Imaging Center

LIFETEST Imaging Centers, located in Atlanta, GA and Nashville, TN, are exclusive providers of electron beam tomography (EBT(TM)) scanning technology in both regions. EBT is a preventive screening tool for early disease protection and now enjoys international recognition as a superior preventive screening tool for early disease protection. Established in 1994 as strictly a cardiac imaging service, LIFETEST has expanded its offerings to include lung scans, abdomen/pelvic scans, full body scans and virtual colonographies. For more information on LIFETEST imaging centers, visit http://www.lifetest.com/; call toll free (888) 730-0119 in Atlanta or (888) 321-5700 in Nashville.

LIFETEST Imaging Center

CONTACT: Dan Snyders, ext. 230, or Kate Braniff, ext. 240, both ofArmada Medical Marketing, +1-303-623-1190, for LIFETEST Imaging Center