Economic Impact of Extracolonic Findings at Computed Tomographic Colonography
- 1 July 2008
- journal article
- Published by Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health) in Journal of Computer Assisted Tomography
- Vol. 32 (4), 497-503
- https://doi.org/10.1097/rct.0b013e3181692091
Abstract
Objective: To determine the prevalence of extracolonic findings at computed tomographic colonography (CTC) and estimate the cost of the workup of newly discovered potentially significant lesions. Subjects and Methods: An electronic information system was used to review all patient data before and after the CTC in a mixed cohort of 376 patients. Extracolonic findings were categorized into the CT Colonography Reporting and Data System classification. The impact of additional diagnostic workup was estimated using Medicare reimbursement for relevant extra services. Results: There were 51 patients (13.6%) with E3 and 16 (4.3%) with E4 findings. At least 1 extracolonic finding was found in 272 patients (72.3%). There were 520 extracolonic findings, of which, 447 (86.0%) were classified as low clinical significance, E2. Only 7 (12.5%) of 56 E3 lesions and 7 (41.2%) of 17 E4 lesions received additional diagnostic workup. The total additional cost of evaluating E3 and E4 lesions was $13.07 per CTC. Conclusions: A mixed (screening and nonscreening) CTC population has a low prevalence of high-risk lesions, and the additional cost of their evaluation is relatively small.Keywords
This publication has 15 references indexed in Scilit:
- Frequency and impact of extracolonic findings detected at computed tomographic colonography in a symptomatic populationBritish Journal of Surgery, 2007
- Assessment of Cardiovascular Risk Status at CT ColonographyRadiology, 2006
- Extracolonic Abnormalities Discovered Incidentally at CT Colonography in a Male PopulationRadiology, 2005
- Incidental lesions found on CT colonography: their nature and frequencyThe British Journal of Radiology, 2005
- Prevalence and Impact of Extracolonic Findings in Patients Undergoing CT ColonographyJournal of Clinical Gastroenterology, 2004
- Extracolonic and Incidental Findings on CT Colonography (Virtual Colonoscopy)American Journal of Roentgenology, 2004
- Computed Tomographic Virtual Colonoscopy to Screen for Colorectal Neoplasia in Asymptomatic AdultsNew England Journal of Medicine, 2003
- Extracolonic findings at CT colonography: Evaluation of prevalence and cost in a screening populationGastroenterology, 2003
- Extracolonic findings at virtual colonoscopy: implications for screening programsThe American Journal of Gastroenterology, 2001
- Incidental Extracolonic Findings at CT ColonographyRadiology, 2000