CT Colonography

Any allergies you may have
Current medicines, herbs, and supplements that you take and whether you need to stop taking them before the procedure
Fasting before surgery, such as avoiding food or drink after midnight the night before
Whether you need a ride to and from the procedure
Cleansing the bowel before the procedure

Description of the Test

You will be lie on your back on a movable x-ray table. A small tube will be inserted into your rectum. Air will be gently pumped through the tube. The table will move slowly through the donut-shaped CT scanner. You will need to remain still. You will also be asked to hold your breath for periods during the scan. The test will then be repeated with you lying on your stomach.

After Test

You will be able to leave after the test is done. You can resume your normal diet and activities.

How Long Will It Take?

30 to 40 minutes

Will It Hurt?

You may feel cramping and bloating. You may also feel the urge to pass stool.

Results

A specialist will review the images. A follow-up exam or more testing may be needed.

Problems to Look Out For

Call your doctor if you have any problems, such as:

Nausea
Itching
Trouble breathing

If you think you have an emergency, call for medical help right away.

RESOURCES:

American College of Gastroenterology
http://gi.org

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
https://www.niddk.nih.gov

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

Canadian Association of Gastroenterology
https://www.cag-acg.org

Canadian Cancer Society
http://www.cancer.ca

References:

CT colonography. Radiology Info—American College of Radiology website. Available at: https://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=ct_colo. Accessed March 19, 2021.

Scalise P, Mantarro A, et al. Computed tomography colonography for the practicing radiologist: A review of current recommendations on methodology and clinical indications. World J Radiol. 2016 May 28;8(5):472-483.

Virtual colonoscopy. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/procedure/virtual-colonoscopy. Accessed March 19, 2021.

Last reviewed December 2020 by EBSCO Medical Review Board Daniel A. Ostrovsky, MD
Last Updated: 3/19/2021

EBSCO Information Services is fully accredited by URAC. URAC is an independent, nonprofit health care accrediting organization dedicated to promoting health care quality through accreditation, certification and commendation.

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

To send comments or feedback to our Editorial Team regarding the content please email us at healthlibrarysupport@ebsco.com. Our Health Library Support team will respond to your email request within 2 business days.