What shows a CT scan of the intestine: how the newest method differs from a colonoscopy

Computed tomography is a modern examination of the intestine without direct intervention. It is produced on a special apparatus, which, using X-rays and a photographic device, takes pictures of the intestine from different sides and reproduces its volumetric model on a computer.

On these images, you can see any microscopic damage and accurately diagnose any disease.

How the research is done

The study is carried out in a special room in which there is a device - a tomograph. It is a very large structure with a dedicated platform for the patient. The platform is located inside a "tunnel" that runs through the device in the middle.

The nurse puts the patient on the platform, first helping to undress. Then a catheter is inserted into the rectum and air is pumped in with a simple rubber bulb. It is necessary to straighten the walls of the rectum, this is the only way to consider each section of it in detail during the procedure.

Attention! The introduction of the catheter is absolutely painless, the only thing is that there may be feelings of discomfort and a desire to empty. The entire course of the study completely eliminates pain, so if it occurs when an object is introduced or air is pumped, tell the nurse about it. You may be injected with an antispasmodic solution to help you continue the procedure painlessly.

Inserting a catheter can be uncomfortable

Then the leading specialist asks the patient not to breathe for 15 seconds - the first images are taken. After that, change the position of the body and repeat the manipulation again. So until the required number of images is taken to create a volumetric model of the intestine on a computer.

The total time of the procedure takes no more than fifteen minutes. After removing the catheter, the patient is allowed to dress and asked to wait for the results of the study.

Tomograph device

The mechanism of operation of the tomograph is to transmit a low dose of X-rays through the tissues of the human body. The result obtained is sent to a photo device built on the opposite side of the radiation sensors, and the device, in turn, transmits data to a computer. Special programs help to build a visual model of the patient's intestines, on which each area can be viewed in detail.

Such a study is also called a virtual colonoscopy. The possibility of a detailed examination of the mucous membrane is fully preserved. It is impossible to notice only lesions with a radius of 1 mm or less, but this cannot be done with colonoscopy, because microscopic ulcers often escape the eye of a specialist.

Indications for CT

Computed tomography is prescribed for people in whom the doctor suspects a number of bowel diseases that can be diagnosed with this test:

• oncology;
• diverticulosis;
  

  Diverticulum

• polycystic or single intestinal cysts;
• polyposis;

• Crohn's disease (an autoimmune disease in which a person's own immune system attacks the cells of the rectal mucosa);
• colitis;
  

  Colitis

• ulcerative lesion of the intestine.

In addition to suspicion of these ailments, the doctor can send the patient for a CT scan with a number of symptoms:

• bleeding from the anus;
• frequent diarrhea and constipation;
• persistent bloating;
• intestinal pain;
• pain during the act of cleansing the intestines;
• diagnosed colitis and IBS (irritable bowel syndrome);
• as an assessment of the effectiveness of the treatment for intestinal infections.
  

  Pseudomembranous colitis on CT

Peculiarity! With advanced colon cancer (less often of other sections), the tumor reaches a large size and colonoscopy is impossible. Therefore, CT in these situations is the best way to examine the intestines without invading it. In addition, the method is absolutely painless and psychologically comfortable.

What colon cancer looks like

Preparation for the procedure

The CT procedure is preceded by a thorough preparation and should be started a few days before the scheduled date. It includes diet and bowel cleansing. Let's take a closer look at each stage.

Diet adjustments

Its purpose is to cleanse the intestines and prepare for the examination. It should be free of gases and feces. And this effect begins to be achieved 4 - 5 days before the appointed date. The very first thing to do is give up the following foods:

• legumes;
• dairy;
• cabbage;
• alcohol;
• flour;
• sweet;
• freshly squeezed juices;
• grape;
• pears;
• apples;
• pickles;
• fatty;
• roast;
• smoked;
• carbonated drinks.

Perhaps this is not a complete list of products, but it is important to understand one thing: the products should not have fixing and laxative properties, as well as provoke gas formation.

Compliance with a diet is a very serious step in preparation, first of all, it is the key to obtaining reliable results. If there are gases or fecal residues in the intestine, then the examination of its walls will be difficult.

Important! A day before the appointed time, you need to completely switch to liquid food: broths, tea and plain water. Water should be drunk abundantly, up to two liters per day.

Also, on the last day before the study, you should carefully monitor gas formation. The desired result is its absence (except for the natural minimum). If the diet did not help, you can use medications: "Espumisan", "Meteospazmil", etc.

Purgation

The intestines begin to be cleaned with special solutions on the eve of the procedure in the evening. Most often used: "Fortrans", "Moviprep", etc. On the individual recommendation of the doctor, you can buy two or four powders from the pharmacy.

They dissolve like this: one packet per liter of boiled water. It is drunk within an hour. The first portion should be taken at 6:00 pm the night before. Then the rest are drunk, with an interval of three to four hours.

These powders sometimes cause nausea in people. In this case, it is recommended to bite the solution with a slice of lemon.

Taking contrast agents

After you have completely cleansed the intestines, you need to drink a liter of clean water an hour before the procedure. And just before the examination, the nurse will give you a contrast agent: a solution of barium or iodine.

They are necessary for a clearer image of the intestinal walls, their thickenings and growths.

Contraindications

Computed tomography is one of the safest studies, there are almost no contraindications. On the contrary, it is appointed when it is impossible to conduct other studies.

But nevertheless, it is worth refraining from it:

• pregnant and lactating mothers;
  

  Pregnant CT is contraindicated

• people who are allergic to barium or iodine solutions;
• children under 14 years old.
  

  Up to 14 years old, children undergo CT scan of the intestine in case of urgent need, if other diagnostic methods do not work

The rest of the cases will be considered individually by the treating specialist. For example, with advanced diabetes mellitus, CT can be canceled, as with AHF (acute heart failure). But it is worth noting that these conditions are not an absolute contraindication, but only a threat of undesirable consequences.

What the analysis can show

CT scan can reveal any damage and abnormalities in the structure of the intestinal mucosa. Moreover, unlike colonoscopy, you can get data about all parts of the intestine, and not just about the rectum.

CT can identify the following diseases:

• diverticulosis;
• ulcerative lesion;
• polyposis;
• polycystic;
• oncology;
• benign tumors;
• Crohn's disease.
  

  Crohn's disease multifocal lesion (indicated by arrows)

Decoding of the results obtained

After the study has been carried out, a volumetric virtual model of the intestine is displayed on the diagnostician's computer, which displays all the folds of the mucous membranes. Thanks to the contrast agent, any deviations are clearly visible:

• growths;
• polyps;
• thickening;
• metastases;
• ulcers (of any size, except for small ones - less than 1 mm).

Depending on the data received, the doctor makes a diagnosis.

The conclusion is issued by an experienced specialist, so an error is excluded. At the moment, CT is the most reliable study of all existing ones.

Pros and cons of computed tomography

The undoubted advantages include:

• high reliability;
• lack of introduction of devices into the intestine;
• psychological comfort during the conduct;
• lack of pain;
• speed of carrying out;
• method safety.

The negative sides include:

• long training;
• relatively high cost;
• the inability to take a sample of the tumor for analysis (with a colonoscopy, this is usually done immediately);
• the inability to remove cysts during the study (again, it is performed during a colonoscopy);
• exposure to x-rays (albeit a minimal dose).

The attending doctor, after a detailed analysis of the situation, will correlate all the pros and cons and prescribe the procedure, if necessary.

Where to get tested

The examination can be done both in a public clinic and in a private one. It depends on where you are watching.

If you come to an appointment at a regular clinic, then, most likely, you will be assigned to undergo an analysis for free on a first-come, first-served basis. It can last for days or weeks.

If you went to a paid clinic, then the examination will be carried out there on the day of treatment, without waiting in line, at the specified time. The devices in such institutions are usually of the latest model and the service is of a high level.

To complete the procedure you will need:

• passport;
• medical policy;
• in some cases, an insurance certificate.

Price

In paid clinics, the price can vary from 3,000 to 12,000 rubles. The cost depends on:

• tomograph models;
• the number of shots taken (a volumetric model can consist of a different number of photos: from 16 - 64);
• the prestige of the clinic;
• quality of service.

Computed tomography is a modern and very comfortable method for diagnosing intestinal diseases. It is painless and does not cause a feeling of psychological discomfort for patients, which is very important.

It is recommended to undergo a bowel examination for all people over 55 years old, as well as for those who are often worried about feelings of discomfort and abdominal pain. But in any case, the doctor should give the direction.

Video - What shows a CT scan of the intestine