Computed tomographic colonography
Computed Tomographic Colonography (CTC), also known as virtual colonoscopy, is a medical imaging procedure that uses x-rays and computers to produce two- and three-dimensional images of the colon (large intestine) from the lowest part, the rectum, all the way to the lower end of the small intestine and display them on a screen.
The procedure is used to diagnose colon and bowel disease, including polyps, diverticulosis and cancer. CTC can provide detailed images of different types of tissue, such as fat, muscle, and blood vessels, all at the same time.
Procedure[edit | edit source]
The patient lies on a narrow table that slides into the center of a CT scanner. Once inside the scanner, the machine's x-ray beam rotates around the body. (Modern "spiral" scanners can perform the exam without stopping.) A computer creates many separate images of the body area, called slices. These images can be stored, viewed on a monitor, or printed on film. Three-dimensional models of the colon can often help the doctor interpret the images.
Preparation[edit | edit source]
Before the procedure, a patient may be asked to take laxatives or other oral agents at home to clean out the colon. On the day of the procedure, the patient lies on the side on a table and the doctor inserts a small tube into the rectum to inflate the colon with air for better viewing.
Risks[edit | edit source]
While CTC is generally safe, it does expose the patient to low doses of radiation. The risk of cancer from radiation exposure is thought to be small, but the risk may increase with numerous CT scans. Other risks include a very small risk of perforating the colon during the procedure.
Benefits[edit | edit source]
CTC is less invasive than traditional colonoscopy and doesn't require sedation. It's also faster, typically taking 10 minutes, and patients can return to their normal activities after the procedure.
Limitations[edit | edit source]
CTC may not be as good as colonoscopy at finding small polyps and cancers. It also can't remove polyps or treat certain diseases, which traditional colonoscopy can do.
See Also[edit | edit source]
| Computed tomographic colonography Resources | |
|---|---|
|
 |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
