An analysis of the potential impact of computed tomographic colonography (virtual colonoscopy) on colonoscopy demand.

Background And Aims: There has been much speculation about the potential impact on the use of conventional colonoscopy if "virtual" computed tomographic colonography (CTC) became a widely accepted modality for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening. However, no formal analysis of the impact of CTC on colonoscopy demand has been reported.

Methods: A mathematical model to predict colonoscopy demand based on several relevant input parameters was constructed.