title: Consensus on current clinical practice of virtual colonoscopy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of our study was to determine the current opinions regarding the performance, interpretation, reporting, and clinical role of virtual colonoscopy among a group of selected experts to develop a consensus statement.
  
  
  METHODS
  A questionnaire was sent to 33 selected experts in virtual colonoscopy. Responses were tabulated and results were used to develop a consensus statement. The results of the questionnaire and consensus statement were sent to respondents for comment and approval.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty-one (93.9%) of 33 surveys were returned. Eighty-seven percent (27/31) of respondents believe virtual colonoscopy is a credible screening method. Oral sodium phosphate solution is the laxative preferred by more than 66% (18/27), whereas 62% (13/21) do not believe fecal tagging is necessary. All respondents (25/25) think that both prone and supine imaging is required, with most (81%, 21/26) believing IV contrast material is not necessary. The routine use of spasmolytics is suggested by only 15% (4/26). The largest acceptable slice thickness of 3 mm is agreed on by 88% (22/25). All respondents believe screening virtual colonoscopy should be performed at a lower dose per slice than conventional CT. Most (80%, 20/25) believe the optimum method of interpreting virtual colonoscopy should be primary axial review, with 3D used for problem solving. All but one respondent (96%, 26/27) agree there is a threshold size below which polyps are not clinically important. When reporting virtual colonoscopy results, 59% (16/27) believe polyps less than 4 mm need not be reported.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A consensus is developing among experts as to the appropriate manner in which virtual colonoscopy should be performed, interpreted, and reported.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, 3D and Image Processing Center, Brigham and Women's Hospital, 75 Francis St., Boston, MA 02115, USA. mabarish@partners.org
authors.forename: Matthew A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Barish
authors.forename: Jorge A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Soto
authors.forename: Joseph T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Ferrucci
mesh_terms: D023881:Colonography, Computed Tomographic / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D032921:Consensus; D006801:Humans; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires