The Diagnostic Accuracy of Virtual Colonoscopy

Virtual colonoscopy (CTC) is considered investigational or experimental, for patients with inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn�s, ulcerative colitis, or diverticulitis and cancerous lesions. The aim of the study was to determine the accuracy of computed tomography colography (virtual colonoscopy) in detecting colorectal polyps and colorectal cancer. Conventional colonoscopy identified 109 polyps in 47 patients; 28 of these polyps, in 20 patients, were identified by virtual colonoscopy. Sensitivity of virtual colonoscopy for detecting polyps was 93 % for polyps with diameter 10 mm. Multidetector computed tomography-based virtual colonoscopy has a high sensitivity for the detection of clinically important colorectal polyps.