The Benefits of Computed Tomographic Colonography in Reducing a Long Colonoscopy Waiting List

Abstract

We have shown that it is feasible to run a high volume CTC service in a general hospital given hospital support and funding. The benefits in this group of over 2000 patients included avoidance of colonoscopy in over 70% of patients, detection of significant polyps or cancer in approximately 20% of patients, and identification of clinically important conditions in 7%-18% depending on the definition used. The estimated costs including capital, operating, and professional fees were in the range of $400.