Virtual Colonoscopy May Eliminate the Current Painful, Nauseating, and Inconvenient Colonoscopy Procedure. To many of us the very word brings shudders. Colonoscopy occurs when a specialized physician inserts a long tube with a probe through your rectum and into your colon. The entire procedure lasts about 20 minutes, longer if polyps are removed. The American Cancer Society recommends everyone get a colonoscopy when they turn 50, and then every 10 years (unless polyps are discovered, then more frequent tests are needed).
To some, no matter the sedation used, this invasive test is painful. To others, drinking a gallon of warm salt water the night before is more than nauseating. And to still others, spending the time in the bathroom every 10 minutes for 8 hours is not an amusing job. Additionally, significant risks of perforation, and infection exist with colonoscopy procedures. However, the really bad part of colonoscopy tests are that almost 50% of the eligible patients do not receive one.
A few years back we were hoping virtual colonoscopies would increase the number of screenings. Colonoscopy tests could be done via a CT scan (or ‘virtual’ colonoscopy). No muss, no fuss, no bother, no pain. No risk of perforations, no infections. We were all hoping. However, the results were too ambivalent to pursue this option.
Now, the procedure has been approved, and meets the same standards as the results from a colonoscopy. Virtual colonoscopy uses a CT scanner to take a series of X-rays of the colon. A computer then generates a 3-D view. A small tube is inserted in the rectum to inflate the colon so it can be more easily viewed. A radiologist then reviews the pictures for any polyps or cancerous growths. No recovery time is required, as no sedation is given.
When polyps are seen (which occurs in approximately 8% of the patients, referrals for a same day colonoscopy is ordered.
A virtual colonoscopy costs a little over $1000, versus almost $4000 for a colonoscopy. Yet, insurance does not pay for this test. 15 sites have been selected to implement and further test the newer model. If successful, and there is every indication it will be, virtual colonoscopies will become the new gold standard.
Currently, 52,000 deaths a year occur as a result of colon cancer. In the future, virtual colonoscopies will undoubtedly bring this low percentage to a more optimistic number. Dying of colon cancers may well become a disease of the past.
Sources
Virtual Colonoscopy Digital Community, Oct 3, 2007
http://www.auntminnie.com/index.asp?sec=sup&sub=vco&wf=2099&d=1
Virtual Colonoscopy Digital Community, Oct 3, 2007
http://www.auntminnie.com/index.asp?sec=sup&sub=vco&pag=dis&ItemId=77711
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