Colonoscopy vs. Colonography

A traditional colonoscopy involves inserting a long, flexible tube with a camera into the colon to directly view and remove polyps or other abnormalities. While effective, it requires sedation, preparation, and recovery time. A colonography, also known as a virtual colonoscopy, uses CT imaging to produce detailed images of the colon without the need for sedation or invasive instruments.

A colonoscopy checks for polyps from the rectum, all the way through the colon, and up to the cecum (sometimes entering the very end of the small intestine).
Polyps are much less common in the small intestine, but they can occur. Certain genetic conditions (like Peutz-Jeghers syndrome or familial adenomatous polyposis) make small-intestine polyps more likely. A Virtual Imaging colonography also checks for polyps in the small intestine and on the outside of the entire digestive tract.

Virtual Imaging, Inc. offers CT colonography—sometimes called a "virtual colonoscopy"—which is a less invasive alternative to traditional colonoscopy. We scan the colon like we scan any other part of the body, non-invasive, just taking pictures "fly thru tech" and if we see anything interesting, we can zoom in. Traditional scopes come with the possibility of injury (there is hardware in your body which can cause punctures or tears). Plus, there are the risks that come with anesthesia. Our advanced scans create detailed images of the colon and rectum, enabling the detection of polyps, tumors, or other abnormalities. This innovative screening option can help identify colon cancer early, when treatment is most effective.

CT scans can be used to screen for a wide range of conditions, including cancers, vascular diseases, lung disorders, and brain abnormalities.