Virtual colonoscopy: what is it? Find out from our article!

New technologies continue to be rapidly introduced into medicine. The treatment of various diseases is being improved, new diagnostic methods are emerging, ways to painlessly and accurately diagnose. Virtual colonoscopy is one such method. It appeared not so long ago, but today more and more clinics are adopting it. This is a safe, modern method that allows you to determine the pathology as accurately as possible and prescribe adequate treatment as soon as possible.

General information about virtual colonoscopy

Pathologies of the digestive tract are not safe. You need to get rid of them in a timely manner. By far the most common diagnostic measures are colonoscopy and intubation. However, the results obtained with these methods are not comparable in quality to those that can provide a virtual colonoscopy.

Differences between classic and virtual colonoscopy

Virtual colonoscopy, what is it? It is completely different from the method to which the doctors of the older generation are accustomed. The procedure is performed using a tomograph. X-rays are used in doses that are not dangerous to the body.

During operation, the device receives information from sensors. The analog information is digitized with subsequent software processing. As a result, the doctor receives a three-dimensional layer-by-layer detailed image. It clearly shows the inner walls of the intestine, the organs of the abdominal cavity and the small pelvis. He sees the real state of affairs in front of him, based on which a more accurate diagnosis can be made than with a standard colonoscopy. This procedure is comfortable for the patient and shows the condition of the intestines with 90% accuracy.

At the moment, doctors argue about the real usefulness of the procedure. The former argue that the method is not informative enough, because it cannot display neoplasms with a diameter of less than 1 mm. It is impossible to pinpoint squamous cell carcinoma. Others seek to prescribe a virtual colonoscopy, as it allows you to consider inflammatory processes not only in the intestine, but also in adjacent organs and tissues. For a more accurate diagnosis, it is recommended to use both methods, if justified.

Using this diagnostic procedure, the doctor accurately identifies the sources of bleeding, the location of neoplasms with a diameter of 1 mm and more, and ulcers. Of course, the immediate elimination of trauma or pathology is out of the question, as with optical colonoscopy.

Advantages of the method

The benefits of a virtual colonoscopy are many. Inserting a tube through the anus has not yet made anyone happy at the time of diagnosis. This is always unpleasant, despite anesthesia and sedatives. Here are some reasons why clinics are rapidly purchasing equipment, and doctors are gradually incorporating this new diagnostic method into their practice:

1. Intestinal trauma is excluded; cases of perforation are extremely rare.
2. More than 1000 pictures with detailed decoding within a few minutes. In the future, it will take about an hour to identify the pathology.
3. Maximum accuracy, no image distortion, subject to the conditions of the procedure.
4. The doctor gets the opportunity to examine in detail hard-to-reach areas.
5. Patients who have undergone this procedure always speak positively about it. Virtual colonoscopy is much more comfortable than traditional colonoscopy. After the diagnosis, no side effects are observed, the patient's well-being does not deteriorate.
6. Modern devices are capable of giving detailed information about the intestinal tube within 5 minutes.
7. The work of an anesthesiologist is irrelevant.
8. There are practically no contraindications. A weakened immune system, recent pathologies or surgery will not be a reason to cancel the procedure.
9. It can be used for bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract, for ulcers, polyps, for diseases of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems.
10. Allowed for use by people of all ages.

A significant drawback is that the procedure is not prescribed for people weighing more than 120 kg. Unfortunately, today tomographs are not designed for such dimensions and weight. The patient simply will not fit on the table; alternative diagnostic methods will have to be used.

How safe is it?

People are still afraid of medical equipment. A dilemma has taken root in the heads of many: "To endure the pain or to go to the doctor and endure the monstrous pain?" And when we first go to the hospital for an unknown procedure, we strive to learn about it as much as possible. more to understand what to be prepared for and how safe the equipment that will be used. We assure you that a virtual colonoscopy will not bring you any discomfort.

It's important to know! X-ray radiation is dangerous; it is radiation that tends to accumulate in the body. But in a modern tomograph, it is used in small doses that are incapable of harming the patient. Practice shows that virtual colonoscopy is much safer than optical, since there is no threat of intestinal perforation.

After the procedure, you may feel a little dizzy, and your blood pressure may drop. Even if you notice these side effects, they will go away while you wait for your test results.

Indications for

Virtual colonoscopy is still not common in clinics. In addition, not every patient is prescribed it. Recommended as an alternative to optical colonoscopy, allowing safe examination of patients with a predisposition to bowel cancer, ulcers, polyps, bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract. The choice between these examination methods each time depends on the individual characteristics of the patient's body. As a rule, the indications for this procedure are:

• inflammation of the digestive tract, chronic diseases in the acute stage;
• unexplained abdominal pain;
• unstable stools;
• bloating and flatulence;
• the need to clarify the presence of neoplasms in the intestine and adjacent organs.

In exceptional cases, the procedure is carried out for pregnant women, children, as well as people suffering from claustrophobia. Remember that a person finds himself in a confined space inside the tomograph. Two-way communication is maintained with him.

Before the procedure

You need to come to a virtual colonoscopy with an X-ray of the abdominal cavity. 7 days before the procedure, it is necessary to exclude the intake of medications containing aspirin. Cleanse the intestines - the accuracy of the diagnosis depends on the quality of cleaning.

Avoid heavy food 3 days before the procedure, which can cause intense gas formation and the formation of large amounts of feces.

These products include:

• meat, excluding poultry;
• legumes;
• fresh baked goods and pastries;
• pickled dishes;
• dairy products with a high percentage of fat content;
• dishes with a lot of spices;
• oatmeal, wheat porridge.

It is recommended to eat light food during these three days: fish soup, vegetables, fruits, rice on water. In the evening, carry out one of two manipulations: cleansing the intestines with an enema, taking laxatives. Which one to choose is up to the doctor to decide.

The procedure is carried out on an empty stomach; you should not consume anything in the morning, only still water. Before your colonoscopy, you will be asked to drink a liter of water.

Preparation is the most important stage, without which accurate diagnosis is in question. An urgent examination without preparation also takes place, but only if there is a suspicion of the presence of dangerous diseases, for example, malignant neoplasms.

Video - Virtual Colonoscopy

The subtleties of the procedure

Before you start, you will receive a short briefing. During the examination, you will stay in the room, and the doctor will go to the computer to control the operation of the tomograph. You will have a special device for communication. If you have any problems, you can report it to the staff. You will most likely be treated at a private clinic, so you will receive a single-use gown, sheet, and shoe covers.

A virtual colonoscopy is performed in several stages.

1. The patient lies on the left side on the table.
2. To improve the diagnostic results, the intestines are inflated using a special disposable tube. The tip is lubricated and inserted into the anus, after which the intestine is pumped with a pump.
3. Then the patient turns over on his back, he is sent to the tomograph for irradiation, where the scan will be performed.
4. At this time, the doctor will be in the next room. He will turn on the device, you will hear commands from him. You need to take deep breaths on demand, hold your breath.
5. After that, the patient must roll over onto his stomach and undergo the procedure again.
6. In the future, the patient is removed. It remains to wait for the scan results. At this time, the computer, with the help of a special program, sorts the images, making up a three-dimensional picture.
7. As a result, the doctor can take a virtual walk through your intestines and make the most accurate diagnosis.

After the end of the virtual colonoscopy, it is necessary to remove all air from the intestine. To stop the bloating, you just need to move a little. In some cases, the scan is supplemented by the administration of an iodine-based contrast agent. In order to remove it from the body as quickly as possible, it is recommended to drink plenty of fluids.

After inflating the intestinal walls, the patient may feel mild discomfort. In this case, a single oral administration of one of the following drugs is recommended.

A drug	Image	Dosage	Contraindications	Side effects
Activated carbon		1 tablet per 10 kg body weight	Ulcerative lesion, bleeding from the digestive system	Constipation, diarrhea, hypovitaminosis with prolonged use
No-Shpa		No more than 240 mg per day, 2 tablets after meals	Hepatic, renal and heart failure, age up to 6 years, pregnancy, lactation period	Sleep disturbances, headache, dizziness, decreased blood pressure, nausea, constipation, allergies
Papaverine		Up to 40 mg 5 times a day	Glaucoma, liver failure, up to 6 months of age	Nausea, constipation, sweating, short-term heart problems

Contraindications and warnings

Negative consequences are extremely rare. In 1 case out of 1000, intestinal trauma is observed. And it often arises due to the wrong actions of the staff. With the abuse of such examinations, sooner or later you will still receive a significant dose of radiation in the body, which can increase the risk of cancer.

During pregnancy, such a procedure is prescribed in exceptional cases, and then in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters. The fact is that the contrast agent can negatively affect the fetus. Remember that the procedure is quite expensive.

But all the disadvantages of virtual colonoscopy end there. The advantages of the procedure are much greater. That is why many people today prefer this particular diagnostic method. And if you are offered tomography instead of optical colonoscopy, rejoice. The procedure is much less uncomfortable and more informative.

Video - Virtual Colonoscopy