A. No. Virtual Colonoscopy does not require any sedation, pain medications, oral or IV medications. BACK TO TOP

Virtual colonoscopy is a FDA approved, non-invasive procedure, which screens for colorectal cancer. Virtual colonoscopy uses a state-of-the-art simulation program to reconstruct abdominal computed tomography (CT) images into a three-dimensional (3D) replica model of the colon. A radiologist, with advanced training, uses the 3D simulated images to navigate your colon in order to identify tumors and pre-cancerous polyps.

Virtual colonoscopy is an abdominal CT scan where "pictures" of the abdomen are taken and then the images are reconstructed into a 3D replica of the colon. The images are then read by a trained radiologist to look for pre-cancerous polyps or abnormalities inside and outside your colon.

There are several advantages and disadvantages for both virtual colonoscopy and optical colonoscopy. Please refer to the summary chart below: of patients have failed/incomplete colonoscopy due to redundancy of the colon or large number of diverticuli Virtual colonoscopy has been proven to be as effective and in some cases more effective than optical colonoscopy in detecting significant polyps. Virtual colonoscopy uses state-of-the-art software to visualize typically 95% to 98% of the colon.

A recent clinical trial conducted at Walter Reed Army Medical Center-Washington, D.C., National Navy Medical Center-Bethesda, MD and Navy Medical Center-San Diego, CA concluded that virtual colonoscopy is slightly more accurate than conventional colonoscopy in detecting significant colonic polyps. This study was published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2003.

A. Virtual Colonoscopy is a CT scan test consisting of CT Abdomen and CT Pelvis with air contrast, and 3d reconstruction. Because this is a new way to perform colonoscopy, many insurance companies may balk at reimbursing for these tests. If your doctor orders these tests because of symptoms, then most all insurance companies will pay for them. If the test is ordered and done only for screening purposes, a few will pay, but many will not. Medicare will pay if there are symptoms. BACK TO TOP

Virtual Colonoscopy (CT Colonoscopy) is the evaluation of the colon utilizing CT. After cleansing the colon the exam is preformed by distending the colon with air and scanning the abdomen and pelvis. The images are “reconstructed” in multiple planes and interpreted by the radiologist. This technique is effective for detecting cancer and polyps greater than 1cm in size. This procedure is faster and less expressive than conventional colonoscopy and does not require sedation.

You must be enrolled in Tricare or Tricare Prime to be eligible for virtual colonoscopy at Brooke Army Medical Center. Any Health Care Provider within the Tricare system can order a virtual colonoscopy. In other words, you do not necessarily need a referral to see a gastroenterologist (GI doctor) first. You can just see your regular Health Care Provider to have him or her put in the orders required for the virtual colonoscopy exam.

A. Yes, a cleansing bowel prep is necessary. Any solid material remaining in the colon would make it impossible to identify small polyps. We recommend the Fleet® #1 Phospha-Soda Kit and a liquid diet the day before. This can be purchased at most major pharmacies. We do not recommend Golytely® or other similar liquid preparations in most cases. BACK TO TOP

A. If a polyp or tumor is found, another test such as flexible colonoscopy or surgery will be required for removal. This is the same for any noninvasive screening test. If we do find significant polyps (and if patient desires), we have made arrangements with gastroenterologists and colonorectal surgeons to have our patients seen the same day for optical colonoscopy in order to avoid returning another day and having another bowel prep. BACK TO TOP

A. We perform a CT Abdomen and Pelvis with the patient on their back and then again on their stomach, so there would be more radiation than a conventional CT scan. However, the amount of radiation involved is still within a safe range. BACK TO TOP

A. Patients describe Virtual Colonoscopy as uncomfortable with mild cramping (but not painful) when the colon is being filled with air. The CT scan can be completed in one or two breath holds and then the rectal tip is removed and the air is expelled or absorbed. BACK TO TOP

VIRTUAL COLONOGRAPHY is a new, fast and reliable CT scan test, which can examine the colon for polyps or cancer. This test is painless, does not require IV sedation and is safer and less expensive than conventional colonoscopy. This test is comparable to conventional colonoscopy and has been shown to be sensitive for polyps 1 cm. or larger, 80% for polyps 0.5-1cm. and 59% for polyps less than 1/2 cm.

The vast majority of patients will be found to have a normal colon on Virtual Colonoscopy. Depending upon the size criteria used for referring a patient with a colon polyp for regular Colonoscopy, only 2-5% of patients will require a regular Colonoscopy or Flexible Sigmoidoscopy after Virtual Colonoscopy. The successful completion rate for a Virtual Colonoscopy is better than 98%. However, numerous studies have shown the successful completion rate for regular Colonoscopy to be only 80-90%.

Recent data indicate that Virtual Colonoscopy is as sensitive as conventional colonoscopy for detection of polyps greater than 10 mm.

The good thing about Virtual Colonoscopy is that the CT scan may also identify any other disorders that may be present in the liver, kidney, and adrenals and the blood vessels. The images may not be optimal but may provide a clue to the presence of other lesions. Virtual colonoscopy may also identify other causes of internal bleeding, causes of diarrhea and can even be used to monitor the course of inflammatory bowel disease.

Because Virtual Colonoscopy does not utilize a scope, the polyps when visualized cannot be biopsied or removed. Any time a polyp is visualized, the individual is referred for a conventional colonoscopy for biopsy and removal. However, since most polyps less than 10 mm are rarely cancerous, not all polyps have to be referred for conventional colonoscopy. This avoids any unnecessary removal of polyps and risks associated with conventional colonoscopy.

Unlike conventional colonoscopy, Virtual Colonoscopy is very safe. Since no actual colonoscope is inserted, there is no risk of perforation, bleeding or complications related to anesthesia.

A. This test requires the insertion of a small tube into the rectum and inflating the colon with air or carbon dioxide. This is much like having an enema. There are no needles or injections required and therefore it is noninvasive. BACK TO TOP

A. No. Since Virtual Colonoscopy is noninvasive, blood thinners are not a problem, as they are with conventional flexible colonoscopy. BACK TO TOP

A. Virtual Colonoscopy is very safe. There is no risk of colon perforation such as there is in a small percentage of cases with conventional flexible colonoscopy. BACK TO TOP

American Cancer Society recommends colon cancer screening for both men and women over the age of 50. For those individuals with a positive family history of colon cancer (family members such as father, mother, brother, or sister), the American Cancer Society recommends colon cancer screening starting at the age of 40.

Virtual colonoscopy is a new technique designed to reconstruct three-dimensional images of the colon using CAT scan. This is not readily available at most hospitals and is not yet perfected at any institution. Studies have suggested that this technique might miss a significant percentage of smaller polyps that can be found with colonoscopy. Like traditional colonoscopy, virtual colonoscopy requires you to be cleansed just as if you are having a colonoscopy.

Virtual Colonoscopy takes only 10-15 mins to complete compared to 30-45 mins for regular colonoscopy. In Virtual Colonoscopy , a small plastic tube is inserted into the rectum and the bowels are dilated with carbon dioxide, whereas in colonoscopy a large flexible colonoscope is introduced. Virtual Colonoscopy can determine both the inner and outer surface of the colon whereas colonoscopy can only visualize the inside.