Colonoscopy - virtual; CT colonography
How the test is performedPatients must follow a strict bowel-emptying procedure the day before, just as they would for a standard colonoscopy. The test is performed in the radiology department of a hospital or medical center. Unlike conventional colonoscopy, no sedatives are needed and no scope is used.
You will lie down on your left side on a narrow table that is connected to an MRI or CT machine. Your knees will be up toward your chest. A small, flexible tube will be inserted into your rectum. Air is pumped through the tube to make the colon bigger and easier to see. After this is done, you'll be asked to lie on your back.
Next, the table slides into a large tunnel through the machine, where x-rays create images of your colon. You must stay very still during this procedure, since movement can blur the pictures. You may be asked to hold your breath briefly while each picture is taken.
A computer combines all the images to form three-dimensional pictures of the colon, which are viewed on a video monitor.
Pictures are also taken while you lie on your stomach.
The exam takes about 20 minutes.
How to prepare for the testPreparations can vary, depending on your health care provider. Everyone undergoing any type of colonoscopy must completely empty their bowels before the exam. This may be done using an enema or laxatives combined with a liquid diet the day before the test. The bowel must be completely emptied until no solid matter remains.
Unfortunately, diarrhea is common during preparation. Drink plenty of clear liquids, such as apple juice and chicken broth, to avoid dehydration.
Make sure you tell your health care provider about any medications you are taking. You'll be told which you can take, and which you should temporarily stop. CT and MRI scanners are very sensitive to metals. Don't wear jewelry the day of your exam. You'll be asked to wear a hospital gown for the procedure.
How the test will feelThe x-rays are painless. Pumping air into the colon can create temporary cramping or gas pains.
Why the test is performedVirtual colonoscopy may be performed to:
Normal findings are images of a healthy intestinal tract.
What abnormal results meanDifferences between virtual and conventional colonoscopy include:
Virtual colonoscopy is now one of the American Cancer Society's recommended screening tools for colon cancer.
ReferencesLieberman, D. Colonoscopy: as good as gold? Ann Intern Med. 2004;141:401-403.
Pickhardt P, et al. Location of adenomas missed by optical colonoscopy. Ann Intern Med. 2004;141:352-359.
Rosman AS, Korsten MA. Meta-analysis comparing CT colonography, air contrast barium enema, and colonoscopy. Am J Med.2007;120(3):203-210.e.4.
Van Dam J, et al. AGA future trends report: CT colonography. Gastroenterology. 2004;127:970-984.
Virtual colonoscopy. Med Lett Drugs Ther. 2005;47(1202):15-16.
Virtual colonoscopy (VC) is an imaging or x-ray test that looks for cancer, polyps, or other disease in the large intestine (colon).
Alternative NamesColonoscopy - virtual; CT colonography
How the test is performedA virtual colonoscopy is different from a regular colonoscopy, in which a long, lighted tool called a colonoscope is inserted into the rectum and large intestine.
The test is performed in the radiology department of a hospital or medical center. No sedatives are needed and no scope is used.
You will lie on your left side on a narrow table that is connected to an MRIor CT scanmachine.
A computer combines all the images to form three-dimensional pictures of the colon, which are viewed on a video monitor.
Pictures are also taken while you lie on your stomach.
The exam takes about 20 minutes.
How to prepare for the testEveryone undergoing any type of colonoscopy must completely empty their bowels before the exam. This may be done using an enema or laxatives combined with a liquid diet the day before the test. The bowel must be completely emptied until no solid matter remains.
Unfortunately, diarrhea is common during preparation. Drink plenty of clear liquids, such as apple juice and chicken broth, to avoid dehydration.
Make sure you tell your health care provider about any medications you are taking. Youa€™ll be told which you can take, and which you should temporarily stop. CT and MRI scanners are very sensitive to metals. Dona€™t wear jewelry the day of your exam. Youa€™ll be asked to wear a hospital gown for the procedure.
How the test will feelThe x-rays are painless. Pumping air into the colon can create cramping or gas pains.
Why the test is performedVirtual colonoscopy may be performed to:
Your doctor may want to do a conventional colonoscopy instead of a virtual colonoscopy. The reason is that virtual colonoscopy does not allow the doctor to remove tissue samples or polyps.
A regular colonoscopy may be done (on a different day) after a virtual colonoscopy if:
Other times, a virtual colonoscopy is done if your doctor was not able to move the flexible tube all the way through the colon during a conventional colonoscopy.
Normal ValuesNormal findings are images of a healthy intestinal tract.
What abnormal results meanDifferences between virtual and conventional colonoscopy include:
Virtual colonoscopy is now one of the American Cancer Society's recommended screening tools for colon cancer.
ReferencesBurt RW, Barthel JS, Dunn KB, David Ds, Drelichman E, Ford JM, et al. NCCN clinical practice guidelines in oncology. Colorectal cancer screening. J Natl Compr Canc Netw. 2010;8:8-61.
Bresalier RS. Colorectal cancer. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2010:chap 123.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 11/12/2010
Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by Todd Eisner, MD, Private practice specializing in Gastroenterology, Boca Raton, FL. Clinical Instructor, Florida Atlantic University School of Medicine. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
Studies in late 2003 showed that virtual colonoscopy was as effective as colonoscopy for screening purposes and it offered the advantage of being less invasive and less risky. However, many physicians were unwilling to accept it
A virtual colonoscopy utilizes a CT scanner to picture the colon and rectum from outside the body. Medicare doesn't cover virtual colonoscopies, in view of a survey of accessible evidence.
Main Street Radiology in Flushing advertises virtual colonoscopies. I have not been there.
Virtual colonoscopy is a procedure used to examine the large bowel for polyps and signs of cancer. It‰Ûªs also called computerised tomography (CT) colonography. It‰Ûªs done using a CT scanner, which uses X-rays to produce three-dimensional images of your bowel.
Computed tomography (CT) colonography (sometimes called virtual colonoscopy) has shown itself to be as accurate in diagnosing colorectal tumors as optical colonoscopy.
You set the centerline with auto level by making use of the virtual colonoscopy.
some patients might still require the regular colonoscopy as a follow-up to the virtual procedure if a polyp or abnormality is found that requires biopsy.
Virtual colonoscopy (http://www.laendo.net/educational-articles/english-educational-articles/143-virtual-colonoscopy.html) is essentially an x-ray examination using CT scan. Using a computer X-ray image creates an image of colon and any lesion that may be associated with the colon. It usually can detect problem that is larger than 1cm. Additionally, flat lesion are difficult to detect. Moreover, there may an additional risk of ionizing radiation that may predispose one to undesired risk of developing cancer later on. Finally, if a lesion is found, one would still have to undergo colonoscopy to either take a close look, take a sample or remove the lesion. As a result, despite conceptual appeal, virtual colonoscopy is not frequently utilized. If you are referring to a Capsule Endoscopy which is a procedure where you swallow a small camera (pill) and pictures of your intestinal tract are recorded every 15 seconds then reviewed by doctors the next day, then YES it is a very useful tool and a definite advance in the arsenal of medical devices used to diagnose Intestinal disease.
If suspicious growths are observed, tiny biopsy forceps or brushes can be inserted through the colon and tissue samples can be obtained. Small polyps also can be removed through the colonoscope.
Here some of the medical and diet preventions for colon cancer. Annual fecal occult blood testing Flexible sigmoidoscopy every five years Colonoscopy every 10 years Virtual colonoscopy (CT colonography) every five years Stool DNA testing - though this is a new screening approach and it's not clear how often it should be repeated Stop smoking Eat a variety of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Exercise most days of the week Maintaining a healthy weight.
sims is a game that you can have a virtual house that you can decorate and have a virtual avatar .
Try virtual families or virtual villagers