title: Extracolonic findings at virtual colonoscopy: an important consideration in asymptomatic colorectal cancer screening.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Virtual colonoscopy has been evaluated for use as a colorectal cancer screening tool, and in prior studies, it has been estimated that the evaluation of extra-colonic findings adds $28-$34 per patient studied.
  
  
  METHODS
  As an ancillary study to a prospective cohort study comparing virtual colonoscopy to conventional colonoscopy for colorectal cancer detection, the investigators retrospectively determined the number and estimated costs of all clinic visits, imaging and laboratory studies, and medical procedures that were generated as a direct result of extra-colonic findings at virtual colonoscopy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We enrolled 143 subjects who underwent CTC followed by conventional colonoscopy. Data were available for 136 subjects, and 134 (98%) had at least one extra-colonic finding on CT. Evaluation of extra-colonic findings was performed in 32 subjects (24%). These subjects underwent 73 imaging studies, 30 laboratory studies, 44 clinic visits, 6 medical procedures, and 44 new or return outpatient visits over a mean of 38 months following the CTC. The most common findings causing further evaluation were lung nodules and indeterminate kidney lesions. No extra-colonic malignancies were found in this study. A total of $33,690 was spent in evaluating extra-colonic findings, which is $248 per patient enrolled.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The cost of the evaluation of extra-colonic findings following virtual colonoscopy may be much higher in actual practice than is suggested by prior studies. This will impact the cost-effectiveness of using virtual colonoscopy for asymptomatic colorectal cancer screening and underscores the importance of standardizing the reporting of extra-colonic findings to encourage appropriate follow-up.
authors.affiliation: Section on Gastroenterology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA.
authors.forename: James R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Kimberly
authors.forename: Kim C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Phillips
authors.forename: Pete
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Santago
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Perumpillichira
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bechtold
authors.forename: Benoit
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Pineau
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Vining
authors.forename: Richard S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Bloomfeld
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015331:Cohort Studies; D023881:Colonography, Computed Tomographic / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012189:Retrospective Studies