Virtual Colonoscopy
Medical Author: Dennis Lee, MD
Medical Editor: Jay W. Marks, MD
What is colonoscopy?
Colonoscopy is a procedure that enables an examiner (usually a
gastroenterologist) to evaluate the appearance of the inside of the colon (large
bowel). This is accomplished by inserting a long flexible tube (the colonoscope)
that is about the thickness of a finger into the anus and then advancing the
colonoscope slowly into the rectum and through the colon. The tip of the
colonoscope has a light and a video camera. The inner colon lining can be
directly visualized in images transmitted from the camera to a television
monitor. This traditional method of examination of the colon is called optical
colonoscopy.
In preparation for colonoscopy, the day before the examination the colon is
emptied using laxatives. Immediately prior to colonoscopy, an intravenous
infusion (IV) is started, and the patient is placed on a monitor for continuously
monitoring the rhythm of the heart, blood pressure, and the amount of oxygen in
the blood. Medication usually is given by IV to make the
patient sleepy and relaxed. If needed, the patient can receive additional doses
of medication during the procedure. Colonoscopy often gives a feeling of
pressure, cramping, and bloating; however, with the aid of the medication,
colonoscopy generally is well tolerated and infrequently results in significant
pain. The type of anesthesia caused by the intravenous medications is classified
as conscious sedation and is safer than general anesthesia. With conscious
sedation, patients are sleepy but still arousable, and able to breathe on their
own. After the colonoscopy, patients are asked not to drive for the rest of the
day if medications for conscious sedation were given.
Should there be polyps (benign growths that can lead to
cancer) in the colon,
the polyps, almost always can be removed through the colonoscope. Removal of
these polyps is an important method of preventing colorectal cancer.
Next: What is virtual colonoscopy? »
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