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Oldest known version of this page was edited on 2007-03-19 10:37:19 by KathyFromEngland []
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About a Virtual Colonoscopy
Contents
What is a Virtual Colonoscopy?
Sources of information for this page
What is a Virtual Colonoscopy?
This is a new type of test. It is also called CT colonography. Instead of having the colonoscope put inside your bowel, you may be able to have a computer simulated examination. As it is a new type of test not all radiologists are trained and experienced in using it yet.
The preparation is the same as for barium enema - laxatives and plenty of fluids to clear out your bowel. The test is done with a CT scanner. So you have this test in the CT scanning department. You can have it as an outpatient.
Just before the test, the doctor will put a small tube into your back passage to pump air or carbon dioxide inside. This helps to open up the bowel, which gives a better result from the scan. You then have two CT scans done. One when you are lying on your back and one with you lying on your front. A computer matches up the two scans and makes a 'virtual' scan of the inside of your bowel. This will show up any growths on your bowel wall. You may still have to have a colonoscopy if a biopsy is needed.
CT colonography is sometimes used instead of a barium enema to examine the bowel. Clinical trials are comparing it to standard tests to see if it is as good at helping to diagnose bowel cancer.
Sources of information for this page
http://www.cancerhelp.org.uk/help/default.asp?page=3950∞
Categories
CategoryBowelTests