Endoscopy 2010; 42(9): 730-735
DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1255523
Original article

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Colonic work-up after incomplete colonoscopy: significant new findings during follow-up

M.  Neerincx1 [*] , J.  S.  Terhaar sive Droste1 [*] , C.  J.  J.  Mulder1 , M.  Räkers1 , J.  F.  W.  M.  Bartelsman2 , R.  J.  Loffeld3 , H.  A.  R.  E.  Tuynman4 , R.  M.  Brohet5 , R.  W.  M.  van der Hulst6
  • 1Gastroenterology and Hepatology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
  • 2Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
  • 3Internal Medicine, Zaans Medical Center, Zaandam, The Netherlands
  • 4Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Medical Center Alkmaar, Alkmaar, The Netherlands
  • 5Epidemiology and Statistics, Linnaeus Institute, Haarlem, The Netherlands
  • 6Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kennemer Gasthuis, Haarlem, The Netherlands
Further Information

Publication History

submitted 10 December 2009

accepted after revision 29 April 2010

Publication Date:
28 July 2010 (online)

Background and study aims: Cecal intubation is not achieved in 2 – 23 % of colonoscopies. The efforts made by physicians to visualize the remaining colon and the number of missed significant lesions are unknown. This study evaluates 1) the reasons for incomplete colonoscopy, 2) the rates of complete colonic evaluation after incomplete colonoscopy, and 3) the number of (pre-) malignant lesions missed by incomplete colonoscopy.

Patients and methods: In this population-based cohort study index colonoscopies were performed between September and December 2005. Prospectively collected data from consecutive patients with an incomplete colonoscopy were analyzed. For up to 18 months after the index colonoscopy, any further examinations performed in these patients were identified retrospectively. These secondary examinations included: repeat colonoscopy, computed tomography (CT) colonography, barium enema, abdominal CT scan, and surgery involving the colorectum.

Results: Of 5278 colonoscopies, 511 were incomplete (9.7 %). The most frequent causes of incomplete colonoscopy were looping of the scope (20.4 %), patient discomfort (15.3 %), and obstructing tumor (13.9 %). Secondary examination was performed in 278 patients (54.4 %) after incomplete colonoscopy. Patients undergoing surveillance after colorectal cancer (CRC) (78.9 %) and those with anemia (73.1 %) most frequently received a secondary examination. Incomplete colonoscopies due to stenosis (78.9 %), severe inflammation (77.8 %) or an obstructing tumor (74.6 %) were most frequently followed by a secondary examination. In all of the follow-up examinations, CRC was diagnosed in 18 patients (3.5 %) and advanced adenoma in four patients (0.8 %).

Conclusions: In 4.3 % of the patients, advanced neoplasia was missed by incomplete colonoscopy. Our data therefore suggest that additional imaging is obligatory to visualize the remaining colon adequately.

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1 N. Neerincx and J. S. Terhaar contributed equally to this paper.

M. NeerincxMSc 

Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology
VU University Medical Center

PO Box 7057, 1007 MB
Amsterdam
The Netherlands

Fax: +31-20-4440554

Email: mneerincx@hotmail.com