Diseases of the Colon

Virtual colonoscopy does not involve scopes, sedation, recovery time, or a prescription from your doctor. It is performed on a multidetector CT scanner which takes up to 600 2D and 3D images of the colon in just 30 seconds. The combination of 2D and 3D images increases the radiologist's ability to detect and analyze areas of concern. The 3D images allow the radiologist to reconstruct the colon and do a "fly-through" of its entire length, simulating the views of conventional colonoscopy. It may be an appropriate investigation in the following situations:

• 50 years or older AND with one or more of the following:
• history of adenomatous polyps;
• recent sigmoidoscopic evidence of one or more polyps;
• positive finding on fecal occult-blood testing; or
• history of colorectal cancer in one or more first-degree relatives

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