What we do
Virtual Colonoscopy
According to the American Cancer Society 130,000 new cases of colorectal cancer will occur in the U.S. and over 6,000,000 Americans alive today will die from this disease. Colorectal cancer is the second most common cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. With proper screening, colon cancer can be prevented.
A conventional colonoscopy exam requires the use of a long, flexible tube that is passed from the rectum through the entire colon while the physician uses a small camera mounted on the end of the tube to view the colon lining. Because this procedure can be uncomfortable and embarrassing, many people over age 50 avoid having the test altogether.
However, polyps can take many years to become cancerous. If they are discovered early, or if colon cancer is discovered in its early stages, the chances of complete removal and cure are excellent. It is recommended that beginning at age 50, men and women should have a colonoscopy procedure. Patients with known polyps, a history of colon cancer in the family, or previous colon surgery should have the conventional colonoscopy exam.
Virtual Colonoscopy Procedure
The Virtual Colonoscopy is performed on our CT scanner. It is a minimally invasive procedure so we normally do not need to use any sedatives. This will allow you to resume normal activities immediately following the procedure.
We begin by laying you on your side with your knees bent toward your chest. The technologist will place a small tube into the rectum to fill the colon with carbon dioxide gas. The gas may occasionally cause you to feel some pressure in the abdomen. Please let the technologist know if you feel any discomfort. For the actual exam, we will place you on your back and take a set of images and then turn you on your stomach and take a second set of images. You will be asked to hold your breath during these scans. The entire exam takes about 10 - 15 minutes to complete.
When the exam is complete, most of the gas will be removed through the tube in the rectum. Once we remove the tube, we will escort you to the bathroom. You may pass gas for a few hours after the procedure. Consult your physician if the gas or bloating does not improve on its own.
Virtual Colonoscopy Exam Preparation
You will need to pick up this preparation at our office 2 days prior to the procedure or we can make arrangements to have it delivered to you if time permits.
The preparation kit includes the following:
2 days before your exam: (Suggested diet beginning with lunch*)
| Lunch | Dinner |
| Soup | Soup |
| Fish/white meat chicken | Fish/white meat chicken |
| White rice | White rice |
| Bread/cracker | Bread/cracker |
| Dessert/fruit | Dessert/fruit |
* This diet is the suggested diet. If your normal diet is an alternative diet and you have any questions please feel free to contact us at 612-347-7226.
Allowed items on this list:
Limit of 2 cups low fat milk or yogurt (plain) - Plainly prepared fish, poultry, eggs - White rice, spaghetti noodles, macaroni, potato with no skin - White bread, saltine crackers - Clear fruit juices, canned fruit with no seeds, skin or membranes - Bouillon /broth, strained soup, soups made with allowed vegetables and meats - Gelatin, fruit ices, Popsicles - Coffee (Limited), fruit flavored drinks, tea, carbonated beverages (avoid caffeine and chocolate) - Salt, pepper, jelly, sugar, honey, and syrup.
The Day before the exam:
Breakfast and Lunch: One bottle of Tagitol at each meal time. Clear liquids only - Carbonated drinks, coffee and tea without cream or non-dairy creamer, Kool-Aid or fruit drinks like Hi-C, grape, apple, cranberry and cran-apple juices. Plain Jello, popsicles and ices made without milk. Plain hard candy, and Gum (do not Swallow it). Bouillon, clear broth, or strained broth.
DO NOT DRINK: Milk, milk drinks, non-dairy creamer, beer, alcohol, juices with pulp, prune, and tomato juice or apple cider.
DO NOT EAT: any vegetables, meat, cream, or noodle soups.
Dinner (5 pm) Clear liquids (same as Breakfast and Lunch) & the last bottle of Tagitol
| 5:30 p.m. | LoSo Prep Magnesium Citrate (follow package directions) |
| 6:00 p.m. | 8 oz glass water, tea, apple juice, or club soda |
| 7:00 p.m. | 8 oz glass water, tea, apple juice, or club soda |
| 7:30 p.m. | LoSo Bisacodyl Tablets (follow package directions) |
| 8:00 p.m. | 8 oz glass water, tea, apple juice, or club soda |
| 9:00 p.m. | 8 oz glass water, tea, apple juice, or club soda |
| After 9:00 p.m. Nothing to eat or drink | |
The day of the exam:
Do not eat or drink anything.
2 hours before you begin to travel to your appointment, insert the LoSo Prep Bisacodyl Suppository (follow the package directions). Please call if you have any questions or concerns. Phone: 612-347-7226