Digital video for the documentation of colonoscopy.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to determine whether digital video is suitable for the documentation of colonoscopy. Standards are required for the visual documentation of endoscopic findings and to optimize image quality while limiting file size and bandwidth requirements.


METHODS
Video recordings of colonoscopy procedures were encoded using a common video compression method at selected data rates and resolutions. Twelve reviewers were selected, each of whom was assigned 8 video review sessions, each consisting of 5 colonoscopy procedures. The reviewers rated the following: level of confidence that the cecum was demonstrated, subjective quality of the video compared with actual videocolonoscopy, and whether the video was of "diagnostic quality."


RESULTS
Reviewers were confident that the cecum was demonstrated in all cases except at the lowest data rate. The 1.0 Mbps standard interchange format video provided an optimal balance between quality and file size.


CONCLUSIONS
For the documentation of colonoscopy, 1.0 Mbps is acceptable and results in a file size of 7.5 Mbytes/min, which is manageable for most modern hospital and telehealth networks.
Department of Medicine, Centre for Global eHealth Innovation, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada.
Joseph A
JA
Cafazzo
Jeremy J
JJ
Theal
Ilan
I
Medad
Peter G
PG
Rossos
D003113:Colonoscopy; D004282:Documentation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D014741:Video Recording / Q000379:methods*