Virtual colonoscopy is the acquisition of three-dimensional images of the large intestine from a computerized tomography device (CT Colonoscopy).

How to Prepare for Virtual Colonoscopy CT?

One day before the virtual colonoscopy procedure, intestinal cleansing is performed by taking medications that clean the intestines, known as "laxatives," among people. In addition, an intestinal cleansing procedure called enema is applied to the rectum, which is the last part of the large intestine.

How is Virtual Colonoscopy CT Examination Performed?

The entire Virtual Colonoscopy procedure takes about 10-15 minutes and there is no need to give a sedative medication. The patient is laid in the supine position on the examination table, a Foley catheter is inserted through the anus to increase the image quality, and air is given from here. The examination table is moved within the scanner instrument, thus obtaining two-dimensional images, while the patient is holding his/her breath. Then, these images are passed through a special program on the workstation and made visible on the screen in three dimensions. Then the same procedure is repeated by laying the patient in the prone position.

What Are the Advantages of Virtual Colonoscopy CT?

• In virtual colonoscopy, the procedure is more comfortable since the endoscopy instrument (colonoscope) is not used.
• Since sedation is not used, the patient continues his/her daily activities after the examination.
• With virtual colonoscopy, much clearer images can be obtained compared to the large intestine film made with barium sulfate, diatrizoate meglumine, or diatrizoate sodium substances.
• In the standard colonoscopy procedure, in 5-10% of cases, the right part of the large intestine, which is the endpoint, may not be technically accessible, but this point can be reached in a virtual colonoscopy.
• Virtual colonoscopy is performed in a much shorter time compared to the standard colonoscopy procedure.

In Which Situations Is Virtual Colonoscopy CT Performed?

• Colon and rectal cancer screening
• Incomplete Colonoscopy (spasm, colonic tortuosity, dolicocolon, diverticulosis, lack of cooperation)
• Evaluation of the proximal colon in obstructive colon cancers
• Conditions where conventional colonoscopy cannot be performed (severe heart and lung diseases, bleeding diathesis, warfarin treatment, sedation allergy).
• Patients who refuse conventional colonoscopy
• Patients with positive fecal occult blood test

Virtual Colonoscopy CT Preparation Form

If pregnancy is in question or there is a possibility of pregnancy, it may be inconvenient to have an examination with X-ray devices such as computed tomography. In this case, you should talk to your doctor who requested the examination again. In order for the examination to give accurate results, you must strictly follow the rules below. Otherwise, since your intestinal cleansing will not be sufficient, the examination will not be performed.

1-Diet

No solid food should be taken for 48 hours the day before the imaging. The diet program that the patient should follow is as follows:

Breakfast

• Light tea with sugar, soft-boiled eggs
• Grainless jam or honey

Intermediate Meal

• Fruit juice (grape or cherry juice)

Afternoon

• Grainless soup or beef broth
• Grainless compote

Evening

• Same as lunch

Intermediate Meal

• Fruit juice

In addition, during this diet, 2.5 liters (12 glasses) of water will be additionally drunk for 1 day. No food will be taken from 24:00 on the day before the imaging and the patient will arrive hungry the next morning for the imaging.

Laxative Usage: Two boxes of X-M DIET (75 ML.). To be used only the day before the imaging, 1 box of X-M diet will be mixed with 1 glass of fruit juice and drunk at noon and the other box will be drunk at 18:00 in the same way.

Colon Cleansing: It will be administered through the rectum as described in the C.T.ENEMA prospectus at 21:00 the day before the imaging.

You can take the medications you use regularly with water.

Patients with chronic heart failure, chronic kidney failure, and diabetes should apply to this program after obtaining the approval of the doctor who follows up with them before applying to the above-mentioned preparation program.

When you come to the examination, bring your previously made radiological examinations with you and deliver them to the relevant technician or doctor.