What are the Advantages over Conventional Colonoscopy?
What are the Disadvantages compared to Conventional Colonoscopy? How Accurate is it? Why is screening important? What are the options to detect polyps? How common is colorectal cancer? What are some of the risk factors? Why are colon polyps important and how frequent are they? Do cancers occur in all polyps and how long does it take for a cancer to develop? What are the current recommendations for screening for colorectal cancer? Who should have a Virtual Colonoscopy or Colonography? Is Virtual Colonoscopy covered by Insurance? So what’s the bottom line? What is Virtual Colonoscopy? Virtual colonoscopy is a new method that allows radiologists to evaluate the lining of the colon (large bowel) to detect polyps and cancers. Polyps are growths in the colon that may become cancerous if they are not removed. Utilizing a high-speed multidetector CT scanner and specialized computer software images are obtained that “visualize” the surface contour of the colon. Images are evaluated in both two
• No Sedation • Immediate Resumption of normal activities • Rapid, Safe, Accurate What are the Disadvantages compared to Conventional Colonoscopy? • Mucosal detail and color is not visible which limits characterization of lesions • Detection of small polyps (less than 1 cm) is inferior • Polyps if detected cannot be removed and would require follow up colonoscopy and second preparation • Ionizing Radiation Approximately 20% less than a Barium Enema How Accurate is it? Studies suggest a very high sensitivity for detection of polyps 1 centimeter or greater approaching that of conventional colonoscopy. These are the ones that have significant malignant potential. Smaller polyps are more difficult to detect. As with any procedure, including conventional colonoscopy, both polyps and cancers can be missed. Is Virtual Colonoscopy covered by Insurance? Virtual colonoscopy is not usually reimbursed by most insurance companies. The patient must therefore cover the cost of the procedure. Medicare
