Computed tomographic colonography (virtual colonoscopy): blinded prospective comparison with conventional colonoscopy for the detection of colorectal neoplasia.
OBJECTIVE
Computed tomographic colonography (CTC), also known as virtual colonoscopy, is a recently introduced imaging modality for the detection of colorectal neoplasia. The aim of our study was to evaluate the performance of CTC in a blinded comparison with conventional colonoscopy.


METHODS
A total of 66 consecutive, symptomatic patients underwent spiral computed tomography (CT) examination after standard bowel preparation. CT images were analyzed and subsequently compared with conventional colonoscopy findings.


RESULTS
Conventional colonoscopy detected 15 colorectal carcinomas and 52 polyps. CTC correctly identified all carcinomas, 13 of 14 polyps greater than 10.0 mm (sensitivity 92.8 %; 95 % confidence interval (95 % CI); 77 - 100), 11 of 13 polyps between 6.0 and 9.0 mm (sensitivity 84.6 %; 95 % CI; 62 - 100), and six of 25 polyps smaller than 5.0 mm (sensitivity 24 %; 95 % CI; 6 - 42). The per-patient sensitivity and specificity were 93.7 % and 94.1 %, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Computed tomographic colonography is an accurate imaging modality for the detection of colorectal neoplasia, especially for lesions larger than 6.0 mm in diameter.
Laghi
A
A
Department of Radiology II, University of Rome - La Sapienza, Policlinico Umberto I, Rome, Italy. andrea.laghi@uniroma1.it
Iannaccone
R
R
Carbone
I
I
Catalano
C
C
Panebianco
V
V
Di Giulio
E
E
Schillaci
A
A
Passariello
R
R
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000465:Algorithms; D023881:Colonography, Computed Tomographic; D003113:Colonoscopy; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016037:Single-Blind Method