Colonography is a less invasive alternative to colonoscopy for screening the colon for abnormalities. It involves inflating the colon with air and taking CT images, but has drawbacks such as potential difficulty in spotting small lesions and exposure to X-ray radiation. Insurance companies may not cover it as part of annual colon screening. If polyps are found, a traditional colonoscopy is necessary.
A colonography is a visual recording of the colon or large intestine obtained using computed tomography (CT) technology. Like a colonoscopy, the purpose of a colonography is to screen the colon for polyps or other abnormalities that could indicate a risk factor for colon cancer or other colon disease. A colonography is less invasive than a colonoscopy, but has different risks and benefits in comparison.
In general, preparing for a colonography is the same as for a colonoscopy. Thorough bowel cleansing is required the day before. A colonography does not require sedation, although a mild muscle relaxant may be injected immediately before the procedure.
A colonography is obtained by first inflating the colon slightly with air. This stretches the colon just enough to see any abnormalities that may be hidden within the folds of the colon wall. A series of images is then taken with CT equipment, and a computer stitches the images together for a radiologist to read.
Although colonography minimizes the risk of colon perforation and is less invasive than a colonoscopy, the procedure has some drawbacks. For starters, black-and-white images make it potentially difficult to spot problems that are less obvious than polyps, such as small lesions. A colonography also involves exposure to X-ray radiation.
Another inconvenience for many patients lies in the insurance companies. Most insurance companies will not pay for a colonography as part of the recommended annual colon screening for patients over 50, even though the procedure is less expensive to perform than colonoscopies. Some insurance companies will pay for a colonography if ordered as part of a diagnosis for a specific problem.
A colonography serves as a good screening tool for colon health, because many screened patients do not actually have polyps present in the colon, and the procedure is less invasive than a colonoscopy. However, in the event polyps are found, the more traditional colonoscopy offers the option of performing an immediate biopsy and removing any polyps if necessary. Patients who get a colonography and are found to have polyps will be sent for a traditional colonoscopy. However, for people who dread a conventional colonoscopy for whatever reason, colonography is better than no screening at all. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns about colon screening.
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