Virtual colonoscopy - applications, status and limitations

CT pneumocolon is a promising new technique in diagnosis and management of colon pathology. CT pneumocolon can detect (sensitivity 95 %) and stage (accuracy 79 %) colorectal cancer and is very accurate in differentiation of malignant from benign colic pathologies. It has excellent detection rates for polyps > 10 mm. Virtual colonoscopy is safe, non-invasive and cost-effective method for detecting colonic carcinomas and adenomas. The technique is quick, patient-friendly and non- operator dependent. It can also image the proximal colon when the distal stenoses prevent endoscopic and barium examination. CT pneumocolon is able to identify the features and complications of inflammatory bowel diseases. Several studies using virtual colonoscopy have already proven its high sensitivity and specificity in polyp detection, making this technique robust as a screening tool