Colonoscopy is a demanded procedure that is performed using an endoscope. Assign a colonoscopy for the purpose of examination of the large intestine. In this case, the endoscope is inserted directly into the lumen of the intestine.
MSCT virtual colonoscopy
This manipulation gives the patient discomfort. Therefore, an alternative to the procedure - CT or MSCT - was a virtual colonoscopy.
The alternative has several advantages:
- this is a non-invasive procedure, the patient does not experience any special discomfort;
- a virtual colonoscopy is performed using computed tomography, so you can get a three-dimensional image of the intestine, and therefore, it is better to study the structure of the organ:
- there is no risk of damage to the intestinal wall, as in the case of endoscopy;
- there is an opportunity to "glance" in the hard-to-reach places of the large intestine;
- patients perfectly transfer the procedure.
Nevertheless, the modern diagnostic method is inferior to the proven endoscopy for the accuracy of the diagnosis. So, with its help it is impossible to reveal polyps, whose diameter is less than 5 mm. Virtual colonoscopy does not make it possible to perform medical procedures simultaneously, such as removing a single polyp, or taking a sample of tissues for a biopsy. In addition, the tomograph does not notice squamous cell precancerous formations.
The indication for the survey is usually:
- suspicion of oncology;
- chronic inflammatory process;
- ulcers of the large intestine;
- permanent stool disorder;
- intestinal bleeding .
During pregnancy, the procedure is prohibited. An insignificant level of exposure during manipulation can damage the fetus. Side effects include mild dizziness and low blood pressure.
Preparing for a virtual colonoscopy of the intestine
If a virtual colonoscopy of the intestine is prescribed, it is necessary first to undergo a small diagnosis - radiography of the abdominal cavity. Approximately one week before MSCT it is necessary to abandon preparations containing aspirin. When there are 2 days left before the procedure, it is necessary to adhere to a special diet - to exclude from the menu products that promote increased formation of gases. These include:
- milk;
- cheese;
- groats of coarse grinding;
- fat meat;
- beans;
- soda;
- Rye bread.
On the day of the procedure, you can have breakfast early in the morning and do not eat any more. You can drink tea without sweeteners and water.
Preparation for virtual colonoscopy also includes cleansing of the intestine with the help of a conventional enema.
How is a virtual colonoscopy performed?
The patient lying on the couch is injected into the anal passage with a special tube, which is necessary for air supply. Under the pressure of air, the walls of the large intestine straighten. After this, the person is placed in an installation that rotates around the patient and takes pictures.
During the procedure, at the request of the doctor, you need to take different poses so that the equipment can fix the smallest details of the internal structure of the organ. As soon as the scan is completed, the air
Sometimes a patient is asked to drink an iodine-containing solution a few hours before the examination. To accelerate the excretion of iodine from the body, it is advisable to drink more after a colonoscopy.
Pictures received during the procedure are stored on the disc. It usually takes less than an hour to decrypt them.