Should barium enema be the next step following an incomplete colonoscopy?

Performance of radiographic imaging after incomplete colonoscopy for nonmalignant causes in clinical practice

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

CT colonography (CTC) or barium enema are commonly ordered to complete colorectal imaging after an incomplete colonoscopy. We evaluated the sensitivity of radiographic studies performed for this purpose in clinical practice outside clinical trials.

METHODS

Adult patients referred to an expert endoscopist for incomplete colonoscopy because of a redundant colon or a difficult sigmoid and who underwent previous radiographic imaging between July 2001 and July 2019 were identified. None of the patients had a malignant obstruction as the cause of incomplete colonoscopy. Data on polyp size, location, and pathology were obtained from colonoscopy and radiology reports. Polyps identified on imaging and colonoscopy were matched based on polyp size and location.

RESULTS

Among 769 patients referred for incomplete colonoscopy, we identified 65 with a radiographic examination performed within 36 months of colonoscopy at our center. Per-patient sensitivity for CTC was suboptimal (70%) and was very low for barium enema (26.7%). Per-polyp sensitivity for both CTC and barium enema was poor (23.8% and 7.6%). Quality of the examination did not seem to affect procedure sensitivity.

CONCLUSIONS

Radiographic imaging after incomplete colonoscopy for reasons other than malignant obstruction had poor sensitivity for polyps. Patients with incomplete colonoscopies should be considered for repeat colonoscopy by an expert.

When Experts Fail: Use of a Short Turning Radius Colonoscope Facilitates Successful Completion of Colonoscopy in Patients with Bowel Fixity

BACKGROUND

Rates of incomplete colonoscopy in non-expert settings range up to 13%. Expert colonoscopists can complete ~ 95% colonoscopies when other endoscopists fail; however, a small number remain incomplete even in expert hands, typically due to bowel fixity.

AIMS

Pentax Retroview™ (EC-3490TLi) is a new slim colonoscope with a short turning radius (STR) and greater tip deflection (210°), which allows easy maneuverability across sharply angulated/fixed colonic bends. We evaluated the utility of this colonoscope for completing colonoscopies that fail even in the hands of expert colonoscopists.

METHODS

Retrospective chart review was performed, and main outcomes measured included cecal intubation rate, lesions detected, dosage of sedation used, and complications.

RESULTS

Using the STR colonoscope, complete colonoscopy to the cecum was possible in 34/37 patients (91.9%). No loss of lumen/blind advancement was necessary in any of the procedures. No adverse events occurred. Among the completed colonoscopies, 6/34 (17.6%) patients had adenomas, all proximal to the site of prior failure, including one advanced adenoma. All failures (n = 3, 8.1%) had a history of cancer surgeries, with peritoneal carcinomatosis/extensively fixed/frozen bowel (two patients) and an additional diverticular stricture with colo-vesical fistula (one patient).

CONCLUSION

STR colonoscope facilitates completion of a high proportion (91.9%) of colonoscopies that previously failed in expert hands. Its STR allows easy maneuverability across segments of sharp angulation with bowel fixity without need for blind advancement. The use of this colonoscope led to the detection of adenomas in 17.6% of patients, all proximal to the site of prior failed colonoscopy.

ACR Appropriateness Criteria® Colorectal Cancer Screening

This review summarizes the relevant literature regarding colorectal screening with imaging. For individuals at average or moderate risk for colorectal cancer, CT colonography is usually appropriate for colorectal cancer screening. After positive results on a fecal occult blood test or immunohistochemical test, CT colonography is usually appropriate for colorectal cancer detection. For individuals at high risk for colorectal cancer (eg, hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer, ulcerative colitis, or Crohn colitis), optical colonoscopy is preferred because of its ability to obtain biopsies to detect dysplasia. After incomplete colonoscopy, CT colonography is usually appropriate for colorectal cancer screening for individuals at average, moderate, or high risk. The American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria are evidence-based guidelines for specific clinical conditions that are reviewed annually by a multidisciplinary expert panel. The guideline development and revision include an extensive analysis of current medical literature from peer reviewed journals and the application of well-established methodologies (RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method and Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation or GRADE) to rate the appropriateness of imaging and treatment procedures for specific clinical scenarios. In those instances where evidence is lacking or equivocal, expert opinion may supplement the available evidence to recommend imaging or treatment.

High success rate of repeat colonoscopy with standard endoscopes in patients referred for prior incomplete colonoscopy

BACKGROUND

In patients with incomplete colonoscopy, cecal intubation is sometimes unsuccessful due to a redundant or tortuous colon. Repeat colonoscopy may be successful with the use of alternate endoscopes or careful attention to technique but limited outcomes data is available. The aim of this study was to describe the technique, success rate and outcomes of consecutive patients referred for previous incomplete colonoscopy.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective chart review of incomplete colonoscopy procedures in patients age 18-90 at an academic teaching hospital referred to an endoscopist specializing in difficult colonoscopy.

RESULTS

Cecal intubation was successful in 96 of 100 repeat colonoscopies and 83 procedures were completed with a standard endoscope (adult, pediatric, or gastroscope). The adenoma detection rate was 28% for successful repeat colonoscopies; a majority of these patients had no adenomas identified on incomplete exam. In 69.4% of cases, an endoscope was used to successfully complete colonoscopy that was not used in the incomplete colonoscopy. The median insertion time was significantly less for the complete colonoscopy (10.6 min) compared to the incomplete colonoscopy (18.8 min, P = 0.004).

CONCLUSIONS

Repeat colonoscopy has a high success rate and identified a significant number of new adenomas. Use of all available endoscopes should be considered prior to procedure termination in patients with a tortuous colon. Repeat colonoscopy can often be accomplished using a standard endoscope and is not attributed to increased endoscope insertion time.

Impact of an incomplete colonoscopy referral program on recommendations after incomplete colonoscopy

BACKGROUND

There are limited data on recommendations and adherence to complete colon evaluation (CCE) after incomplete colonoscopy (IC).

AIMS

Our objectives were to (1) identify recommendations and adherence to recommendations after IC, (2) determine the diagnostic yield of CCE after IC, and (3) determine the effect of an IC referral program on recommendations for CCE.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective review of IC procedures at a teaching hospital over two time periods (January 1 to May 1 2004 and July 1 to November 1 2010). A referral process for repeat colonoscopy after IC was instituted in April 2009. Outcomes included (1) recommendations (2) adherence, and (3) yield of CCE after IC.

RESULTS

A total of 222 patients underwent at least one IC (overall rate of 2.5 %). In 120 patients (54.1 %), CCE was recommended within 1 year; the rate did not change from 2004 to 2010. Patients with IC due to poor preparation were more likely to have specific CCE recommendations (85.5 vs. 72.2 %, P = 0.03) and recommendations of endoscopic follow-up (76.3 vs. 10.4 %, P < 0.0001) than those with IC due to difficult anatomy. When IC was due to difficult colonoscopy, there was increase in endoscopic follow-up recommended (16.3 vs. 2.8 %, P = 0.01) in 2010 compared to 2004. Adherence to recommendations was similar regardless of modality recommended, inpatient/outpatient status, polyps on initial exam, or extent of initial exam. Polyp detection rate was greater utilizing colonoscopy than barium enema (34.3 vs. 3.6 %, P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

There is a lack of consensus in management strategies for patients after IC. Implementation of a referral program has had minimal impact on provider recommendations.