Colon cancer is the second leading
cause of cancer death in the United States, responsible for more
than 50,000 deaths per year. With proper screening, colon cancer
is a preventable disease. Therefore, routine screening is
recommended especially for men and women over the age of 50.
The "gold standard" for
colon cancer screening has traditionally been optical colonoscopy.
However, many patients are reluctant to have the study due to
potential discomfort and complications.
"Virtual" colonoscopy is
a new test performed with the latest generation CT scanners
equipped with highly specialized computers. 3D images of the colon
are obtained with information gathered from the CT scan. An
article published in The New England Journal of Medicine in
December 2003, showed that accuracy of "virtual"
colonoscopy was similar to that of conventional colonoscopy. In
addition, virtual colonoscopy is less invasive, requires no
sedation, and does not have the inherent risks of conventional
colonoscopy.
Preparation for the examination is
similar for both types of colonoscopies. The colon should be free
of fecal material that may interfere with the study. The day
before the exam, a bowel-cleaning regimen must be followed, and a
kit may be obtained at our office.
When the patient arrives for the
virtual colonoscopy, a thin rubber tube is inserted into the
rectum. While the patient is lying on the CT table, air is
introduced into the colon through the rubber tube. The patient is
then asked to hold his/her breath for about 15 seconds, while the
CT scan obtains images of the colon. The study is performed with
the patient lying on his/her back then on the stomach.
Patients may experience cramps
following the procedure due to the air in the colon. However, it
is usually mild, and patients may resume normal activity soon
after the exam.
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