What is non -invasive colonoscopy?
non -invasive colonoscopy is one during which the doctor acquires the patient's colon images and uses a computer to convert these images into a three -dimensional animated view of this intestine. This procedure, which is often referred to as virtual colonoscopy, can be done using computer tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The purpose of virtual colonoscopy is the same as the purpose of regular colonoscopy, which is to look for polyps, colon cancer and other irregularities or diseases. The preparation and undergoing virtual colonoscopy is similar to the preparation and subjugation of traditional colonoscopy. As with most medical tests, virtual colonoscopy represents advantages and disadvantages.
The preparation of the intestine for non -invasive colonoscopy is similar to traditional colonoscopy. One to three days before the procedure, the patient must clean the gastrointestinal tract of all solids. During the period, the patient consumes liquid food that can consist of water, ordinary coffee and tea and sinkRU, although some doctors allow solid foods such as gelatin.
Night before planning virtual colonoscopy, the patient was laxked. The laxative is usually a pill or powder that the patient must mix and drink with water. The patient's doctor sometimes also recommends using suppository suppositories to remove any fecal matter that laxative remained behind. However, it is sometimes necessary for the patient to undergo what is called faecal signs. During this process, the patient drinks a substance designed to stretch any remaining fecal mass so that the doctor can identify and exclude it from the results.
Usually the patient drinks a medical contrast medium as soon as it is time to perform non -invasive colonoscopy. This medium is a liquid designed to help doctors find abnormalities by creating the large intestine look clear. The doctor then explains how the patient should stand on the table but patients leIt lives on stomachs, backs, sides or some combination of these three in most cases.
The doctor also puts a thin tube into the rectum by the patient's rectum. If the procedure includes CT, the tube draws carbon monoxide into the large intestine to extend it. For MRI, however, another contrast medium is used to expand the colon. To make sure that the images are stable, the patient may have to hold breath at some times during the procedure. Overall, virtual colonoscopy can take up to 15 minutes.
There are both advantages and disadvantages of non -invasive colonoscopy. For example, a non -invasive colon test can provide brighter images, not include the entire length of the colon and usually does not require a sediment. On the other hand, these tests still require tube insertion, do not allow the removal of polyps and Caneznal some smaller polyps. Some health insurance plans do not cover virtual colonoscopy and until the technology becomes more known, not all medical practices have equipment for herChoose. Based on these advantages and disadvantages, each patient and his doctor will determine whether virtual colonoscopy is right for him.