Colonoscopy — Overview, Symptoms, Treatments, and Other Resources.
What is a colonoscopy and why is it performed? Info at the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Colonoscopy is a procedure that lets your doctor look inside your entire large intestine. It uses an instrument called a colonoscope, or scope for short. Scopes have a tiny camera attached to a long, thin tube. The procedure lets your doctor see things such as inflamed tissue, abnormal growths, and ulcers. Your doctor may recommend colonoscopy for a number of reasons...more National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health.
Infromation on Virtual Colonoscopy from the National Institutes of Health
Virtual colonoscopy (VC) combines MRI or CT scans with sophisticated computer software to produce three-dimensional images of the colon and rectum. The test is less invasive than conventional colonoscopy. Read more at NIH.
Information on Colonoscopy and Flexible Sigmoidoscopy from the University of Pittsburgh medical Center
A colonoscopy is an exam of the inside of your large intestine (colon). A flexible sigmoidoscopy is an exam of only the lower section of the large intestine (sigmoid colon). See an illustrated description for each procedure from the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
Virtual Colonoscopy Video
This video shows a virtual colonoscopy, and includes finding a polyp. View it at the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center.
American College of Radiologists (ACR) Appropriateness Criteria® colorectal cancer screening.
Guidelines for various procedures, including data comparing virtual--or Computer Tomography Colonoscopy to conventional colonoscopy. In the evaluation of a screening population, CTC had a very high sensitivity and outperformed colonoscopy, whereas in the other two studies CTC had a low sensitivity, and colonoscopy outperformed CTC by a significant margin. See National Guideline Clearinghouse major recommendations.
ASGE guideline: colorectal cancer screening and surveillance.
Colonoscopy is the preferred modality for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening in average risk patients and other recommendations for alternative procedures for higher-risk patients. See National Guideline Clearinghouse major recommendations.
Colorectal cancer screening--recommendations from the World Gastroenterology Organisation
Different screening options for average-risk and higher-risk men and women aged 50 and over are reviewed here. The options take account of the availability of colonoscopy, flexible sigmoidoscopy, fecal occult blood test (FOBT), and barium enema. See National Guideline Clearinghouse major recommendations.
Quality indicators for colonoscopy.
Catalogs quality indicators for the entire patient colonoscopy experience. See National Guideline Clearinghouse major recommendations.
American Society of Gastroenterologists (ASGE) guideline: the role of endoscopy in the diagnosis, staging, and management of colorectal cancer.
Detailed recommendations for colonoscopy procedure with descriptions of evidence.
Abstract: CT colonography for synchronous colorectal lesions in patients with colorectal cancer: initial experience.
Findings that CTC is an accurate technique to assess for significant synchronous lesions in patients with colorectal cancer and is applicable for total pre-operative colonic visualisation. See Abstract at PubMed.
Abstract: Computed tomographic virtual colonoscopy computer-aided polyp detection in a screening population.
The per-patient sensitivity of CT virtual colonoscopy CAD in an asymptomatic screening population is comparable to that of optical colonoscopy for adenomas > or = 8 mm and is generalizable to new CT virtual colonoscopy data. See Abstract at PubMed.
Abstract: A Comparison of High-Definition Versus Conventional Colonoscopes for Polyp Detection.
High-resolution, high-definition colonoscopes (HD) with 170 degrees angle of view providing brighter images, sharper resolution, and a 30 degrees wider field of view than conventional colonoscopes (CC) are available. HD colonoscopy does not increase the detection of individuals with polyps, adenomas, or high-risk adenoma features. See Abstract at PubMed.
Abstract: Editorial: A light breakfast, a jug of salt water, and bowel
Successful colonoscopy is predicated on achieving adequate colon cleansing. For many patients, this cleansing is the most unpleasant aspect of the procedure. This editorial from the American Journal of Gastroenterology looks at a simple, less objectionable cleansing process. See Abstract at PubMed.
Abstract: Second look colonoscopy: indication and requirements
There are circumstances when a colonoscopy should be repeated after a short interval following the first endoscopic procedure which has not completely fulfilled its objective. This article looks at those circumstances. See Abstract at PubMed.
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The Colonoscopy Procedure
Source: thefreedictionary.com
Color CT image of a polyp
Source: National Cancer Institute
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Diagram of colon, small intestine, and rectum.
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