Virtual colonoscopy: a gastroenterologist's perspective

Virtual colonoscopy is an exciting new imaging technique with potential to alter current diagnostic approaches to colonic diseases, particularly colonic neoplasms. Although colonoscopy continues to offer the highest sensitivity and specificity for evaluation of the colon, virtual colonoscopy may offer greater safety, less discomfort, and consequently greater patient acceptance. In addition, virtual colonoscopy offers shorter procedure time, more accurate lesion location, and potentially lower cost as a screening test. Limited data are currently available to define virtual colonoscopy's full clinical role. This article describes the technical considerations, current clinical status, limitations, and potential indications of this new and exciting technology which gastroenterologists should not fear but embrace.