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Virtual colonoscopy can show the inside of a colon that is narrow due to inflammation or an abnormal growth. Disadvantages. Virtual colonoscopy may not show polyps smaller than 10 mm (0.4 in.). Virtual colonoscopy is not covered by all health insurance plans. Check with your insurance plan before having the test.
- Overview
- Diagnostic uses of a virtual colonoscopy
- Screening recommendations for colorectal cancer
- Risks of a virtual colonoscopy
- Preparation
- Procedure
- Advantages of a virtual colonoscopy vs. a conventional colonoscopy
- Disadvantages of a virtual colonoscopy vs. a conventional colonoscopy
- Understanding the results of a virtual colonoscopy
A virtual colonoscopy is used to identify abnormalities in your colon and rectum, which are both part of your large intestine. In this procedure, pictures of the inside of your large intestine are taken from outside your body.
A CT scan is used to construct the images of your large intestine. After the scan, a computer combines the images of your large intestine to produce 2-D and 3-D interior views. A virtual colonoscopy is sometimes referred to as a CT colonography.
In some cases, an MRI is used instead of a CT scan.
A virtual colonoscopy and a conventional colonoscopy use different tools to retrieve the images of your colon.
A virtual colonoscopy allows your doctor to look at your colon and rectum to find abnormal areas. Abnormalities that may be detected and diagnosed include:
•diverticulosis, which causes small pouches in your digestive tract
•internal bleeding
•polyps, which are growths of tissue in your colon and rectum
•tumors in your abdomen or the areas surrounding your kidney, liver, pancreas, or spleen (these organs lie near your large intestine)
•colorectal cancer
The British Medicine Journal (BMJ) and the American College of Physicians (ACP) both recommend that people at average risk of colorectal cancer start screening when they’re at least 50 years old and stop screening when in their 70s.
The American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends that people at average risk start screening when they’re at least 45 years old and stop screening when they’re in their 70s or 80s.
The BMJ guidelines state that having a colonoscopy just once is sufficient for people at average risk. However, they don’t specifically mention the virtual colonoscopy.
On the other hand, the ACP and ACS recommend that people receiving virtual colonoscopies are screened every 5 years.
The virtual colonoscopy is a relatively new screening tool, so more evidence is needed to judge the harms and benefits.
However, there appear to be few risks associated with a virtual colonoscopy.
The air released into your colon may make you feel bloated, but the feeling should dissipate once you pass the air from your body.
There’s a very small risk that inflating your colon could cause injury. The ACS considers this risk to be much lower with a virtual colonoscopy than a conventional colonoscopy.
To help your doctor get the clearest images, your colon and rectum must be emptied before a virtual colonoscopy. This is called bowel preparation (bowel prep).
To do this, you’ll have to:
•Follow a clear liquid diet for 1 to 3 days before the exam.
•Avoid eating or drinking anything the night before the exam.
•Take a strong laxative, and possibly a suppository, to help clear your bowels.
•Take a contrast agent in pill form at home.
A virtual colonoscopy is an outpatient procedure, but it’s usually performed in a hospital.
You won’t be checked into the hospital and can leave the same day as the test. You won’t be sedated either.
The test takes about 10 to 15 minutes to complete. The testing process is as follows:
1.If you’re having a CT virtual colonoscopy, you may be asked to drink a liquid contrast agent. In some cases, you may take the contrast in pill form at home.
2.A thin, flexible tube will be placed into your rectum.
3.For CT procedures, room air or carbon dioxide is slowly pumped into the tube to inflate your rectum and allow for closer examination.
A virtual colonoscopy has some distinct advantages over a conventional colonoscopy, such as:
•A virtual colonoscopy takes about 10 to 15 minutes, while a conventional colonoscopy takes about 15 to 60 minutes.
•A virtual colonoscopy may be more comfortable for some people, since it doesn’t use a colonoscope.
•You don’t need a sedative during a virtual colonoscopy, whereas a conventional colonoscopy usually requires one.
•You can resume normal activities after a virtual colonoscopy, but people usually need time to recover from the sedatives used in a conventional colonoscopy.
•A virtual colonoscopy has less risk of colon tearing, or perforation, than a conventional colonoscopy.
There are a few disadvantages of a virtual colonoscopy:
•A virtual colonoscopy isn’t as sensitive as a conventional colonoscopy for finding smaller polyps.
•Your doctor can’t remove a tissue sample or polyp using a virtual colonoscopy. If a tissue sample is needed, you’ll need to have a conventional colonoscopy.
•Some health insurance plans may not cover a virtual colonoscopy.
After your virtual colonoscopy, a radiologist will review your CT scan or MRI images. If your doctor isn’t satisfied with the images, you may need to repeat the procedure or have another type of screening.
If there are no abnormalities in your colon, the virtual colonoscopy is negative.
If there are any abnormalities or polyps, the test is positive.
Your doctor may recommend a conventional colonoscopy if your test results are positive. During this procedure, abnormal tissue samples can be obtained and polyps can be removed.
A virtual colonoscopy is a minimally invasive procedure that uses computed tomography (CT) scans or X-rays to examine the inside of your bowel. Virtual colonoscopy is an alternative to a traditional colonoscopy which uses a scope that is inserted into your colon. There are both benefits and limitations of a virtual colonoscopy when compared to ...
Jul 6, 2023 · Virtual colonoscopy is a less invasive way to check for cancer of the large intestine. Virtual colonoscopy is also known as screening CT colonography. Unlike the usual or traditional colonoscopy, which needs a scope to be put into your rectum and advanced through your colon, virtual colonoscopy uses a CT scan to take hundreds of cross-sectional ...
Virtual Colonoscopy. Virtual colonoscopy is a non-invasive procedure using sophisticated imaging techniques to generate a 3-D reconstruction of the inner surface of the colon, which can then be evaluated for abnormalities such as polyps by specially trained radiologists. Virtual colonography is the latest development in colon cancer detection.
Virtual colonoscopy may not show polyps smaller than 10 mm (0.4 in.). Virtual colonoscopy isn't covered by all provincial or private health plans. Check with your health plan before you have the test. If a polyp is found, you'll need a regular colonoscopy to confirm the diagnosis and remove the polyp so it can be looked at under a microscope.
People also ask
Does health insurance cover virtual colonoscopy?
Can a virtual colonoscopy show a polyp?
Is virtual colonoscopy insured by Alberta Health care insurance?
What is virtual colonoscopy?
Can a virtual colonoscopy screen for colon cancer?
Why can't I have a virtual colonoscopy?
Talk to your healthcare practitioner to see if virtual colonoscopy is right for you. Is there a cost? Yes. Virtual colonoscopy is not insured by Alberta Health Care Insurance. The cost of a virtual colonoscopy at MIC is $675.00. You may be able to claim the cost under certain extended health benefit plans or health spending accounts.
