A virtual colonoscopy, which uses CT or MRI, is a noninvasive procedure that provides a 3D view of the large intestine to detect polyps and colon cancer. The bowel preparation is similar to a traditional colonoscopy, and the procedure involves inserting a tube and using contrast agents. Advantages include clearer images and no sedation, but it may not detect smaller polyps and not all medical practices have the equipment.
A noninvasive colonoscopy is one during which a doctor obtains images of a patient’s large intestine and uses a computer to transform those images into an animated, three-dimensional view of that intestine. Often referred to as a virtual colonoscopy, this procedure can be done using computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The purpose of a virtual colonoscopy is the same as a regular colonoscopy, which is to look for polyps, colon cancer, and other irregularities or diseases. Preparing for and undergoing a virtual colonoscopy is similar to preparing for and undergoing a traditional colonoscopy. As is the case with most medical tests, a virtual colonoscopy has both advantages and disadvantages.
Bowel preparation for a noninvasive colonoscopy is similar to that for a traditional colonoscopy. One to three days before the procedure, the patient should cleanse his gastrointestinal tract of all solids. During the time period, the patient consumes a liquid diet which may consist of water, plain coffee and tea, and broth, although some doctors allow solid foods such as gelatin.
The night before the virtual colonoscopy appointment, the patient takes a laxative. Typically, the laxative is a pill or powder that the patient mixes and drinks with water. Sometimes, the patient’s doctor also recommends using a suppository to remove any stool left by the laxative. Even so, it is sometimes necessary for the patient to undergo what is known as fecal labeling. During this process, the patient drinks a substance designed to coat any remaining fecal matter so the doctor can identify it and exclude it from the results.
Usually, the patient drinks a medical contrast agent once it’s time to perform the noninvasive colonoscopy. This medium is a liquid designed to help your doctor spot abnormalities by making the large intestine appear bright. The doctor then explains how the patient should position himself on the table, but patients lie on their stomach, back, sides, or some combination of the three in most cases.
Next, the doctor inserts a thin tube into the patient’s rectum through the anus. If the procedure involves a CT scan, the tube pumps carbon monoxide into the large intestine to expand it. For an MRI, however, another contrast medium is used to expand the large intestine. To ensure that the images are stable, the patient may need to hold their breath at certain times during the procedure. Overall, a virtual colonoscopy can take up to 15 minutes.
There are both advantages and disadvantages of a non-invasive colonoscopy. For example, a noninvasive colon test may provide clearer images, doesn’t involve the entire length of the colon, and typically doesn’t require sedation. On the other hand, these tests still require tube insertion, do not allow for polyps to be removed, and may not detect some smaller polyps. Some health insurance plans don’t cover virtual colonoscopies, and until the technology is more widely known, not all medical practices will have the equipment to perform them. Based on these pros and cons, each patient and their doctor will determine if a virtual colonoscopy is right for them.
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