Colon cancer has become the second leading cause of cancer deaths. Yet only 15% of those at risk are adequately screened. Until now, the only way to detect the presence of polyps throughout the entire colon was with a traditional colonoscopy. Now Advanced Imaging Specialists offers CT Colonography (Virtual Colonoscopy), a safe, comfortable way of detecting colon and bowel disease, as well as, diverticulosis, and cancer early on.

CT Colonography requires no sedation and is highly accurate in detecting polyps over 10mm in size. It produces two and three-dimensional images of the colon (large intestine) from the lowest part, the rectum, all the way all the way to the lower end of the small intestine and display them on a screen.

CT Colonography provides clearer, more detailed images than a conventional x ray using a barium enema, sometimes called a lower gastrointestinal (GI) series. It also takes less time than either a conventional colonoscopy or a lower GI series.

CT Colonography Procedure

You will usually be asked to take oral contrast at home the day before the procedure to clear stool from your colon. You may also be asked to use a suppository to cleanse your rectum of any remaining fecal matter.

During the procedure

The doctor will ask you to lie on your back on a table. A thin tube will be inserted into your rectum, and air will be pumped through the tube to inflate the colon for better viewing. The table moves through the scanner to produce a series of two-dimensional cross-sections along the length of the colon. A computer program puts these images together to create a three-dimensional picture that can be viewed on the video screen. You will be asked to hold your breath during the scan to avoid distortion on the images.

The scanning procedure is then repeated with you lying on your stomach. You may resume normal activity after the procedure. If abnormalities are found you may need a conventional colonoscopy.