A recent study published in the American Journal of Roentgenology examined radiologists' preferences for optical colonoscopy or CT colonography as colorectal cancer screening modalities.
The study presented 42 radiologists with a scenario where a payer would cover optical colonoscopy, but would require out-of-pocket payment for CT colonography. The radiologists were then asked how much they would be willing to pay for CT colonography, CT colonography with perfect sensitivity and specificity and CT colonoscopy without bowel preparation.
Of the radiologists included in the study, 66 percent selected optical colonoscopy over CT colonography. If CT colonography could offer perfect sensitivity, four radiologists would reverse their decision, and 16 radiologists would choose CT colonography if the test could offer 100 percent specificity. More than half of radiologists (57 percent) would prefer CT colonography over optical colonoscopy if it eliminated the need for bowel prep.
The researchers concluded most radiologists prefer optical colonoscopy for colorectal cancer screening because of the ability to immediately biopsy lesions and the lack of need for a second round of bowel prep if suspicious lesions are found.