Accuracy of Virtual Colonoscopy Versus Conventional Colonoscopy in Diagnosis of Colorectal Pathologies

Background: Colorectal cancer is major health issue affecting population worldwide in recent years. Conventional colonoscopy is the gold standard investigation used for screening and diagnosis of CRC but associated with its own disadvantages in the form of pain, discomfort, abdominal distension and rarely perforation. Virtual colonoscopy is a recent radiological technique to evaluate the colon without morbidities of conventional colonoscopy. Aims and Objectives: To evaluate the sensitivity and specicity of contrast computed tomography in comparison with conventional colonoscopy. Methodology: Study was conducted from June 2022 to September 2023 on 76 patients. This is a prospective double blind study. Patients underwent virtual colonoscopy followed by conventional colonoscopy after informed consent. The conventional colonoscopy ndings were regarded as gold standard and were compared with virtual colonoscopy in relation to location and type of the lesion. Histopathological ndings were noted in patients in whom biopsy was performed Results: Intraluminal ndings of both the investigations were comparable except few incomplete evaluations in conventional colonoscopy secondary to obstructive growth or poor patient compliance. Virtual colonoscopy had additional advantages like fat stranding and enlarged lymph nodes but with a drawback of no tissue diagnosis. Virtual colonoscopy and conventional colonoscopy was successful in all patients. Sensitivity of the virtual colonoscopy was 100% with positive predictive value of 100% in comparison to conventional colonoscopy. Specicity could not be assessed as only positive cases on conventional colonoscopy were taken. Conclusion: Accuracy of Virtual colonoscopy is equivalent to conventional colonoscopy for screening and can be used as primary tool in assessing colorectal pathologies.