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What Is The Difference Between Virtual Colonoscopy And Regular Colonoscopy?
Question: What is your opinion of virtual colonoscopy versus regular colonoscopy for suspected diverticulitis. How soon should you wait after your first attack before getting one.
Brief Answer:
Virtual colonoscopy is better and done 4 to 6 weeks after attack
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in detail.
Please find my observations below.
1. Virtual colonoscopy is always better than regular colonoscopy when evaluating a patient of diverticuliar disease but must be done 4 to 6 weeks after the attack of acute diverticulitis. There are many advantages offered by virtual colonoscopy considering your age and problem. Virtual colonoscopy is accepted as an accurate procedure. If bleeding in stools persists at frequent intervals then it will be better to do a regular colonoscopy after a year.
2. However considering your present attack to be due to acute diverticulitis, there is an absolute contraindication to doing virtual colonoscopy. In such patients, it is recommended to do a CT scan to look for any abscess. Subsequent virtual colonoscopy might be done 4 to 6 weeks following the attack to minimize any complication.
Hope this answers your question. Please feel free to correct any oversight in my interpretation of your problems and discuss them in detail as per your requirements.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Virtual colonoscopy is better and done 4 to 6 weeks after attack
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in detail.
Please find my observations below.
1. Virtual colonoscopy is always better than regular colonoscopy when evaluating a patient of diverticuliar disease but must be done 4 to 6 weeks after the attack of acute diverticulitis. There are many advantages offered by virtual colonoscopy considering your age and problem. Virtual colonoscopy is accepted as an accurate procedure. If bleeding in stools persists at frequent intervals then it will be better to do a regular colonoscopy after a year.
2. However considering your present attack to be due to acute diverticulitis, there is an absolute contraindication to doing virtual colonoscopy. In such patients, it is recommended to do a CT scan to look for any abscess. Subsequent virtual colonoscopy might be done 4 to 6 weeks following the attack to minimize any complication.
Hope this answers your question. Please feel free to correct any oversight in my interpretation of your problems and discuss them in detail as per your requirements.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you for your answer. It made me feel so much better. Today however i am scared... i never had pain on tbe left side (which i told my dr. When he said diverticulitis), the pain or actually ache has always been on the right. Ache hasn't gone away. It is all on right side, mid rib in front, a little on the side and back side, travels down to navel height still having gas and belching . Just a constant ache. Went for follow up and the areas were really tender. He said not good and ordered a CT Scan with contast XXXXXXX but wasnt sure if XXXXXXX should be used with the active diverticulitis. Is tbe XXXXXXX safe, he mentioned really serious possibilities. And hated the idea for virtual colonscooy said they are 4th on the l7st,cor accuracy and don't show enough. I agree with you however . What do you think this could be?
Brief Answer:
CT scan abdomen is a safe investigation, you might have bowel inflammation
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing back with an update.
1. There are many conditions that might cause pain other than diverticulitis in the right mid abdomen and continuing in the front and back. The nerve distribution of many structures overlap and therefore it is best that you get a CT scan done to confirm or rule out the cause of your pain.
2. Diverticulitis pain is usually on the left side but it can also appear in central or right side. In your case it appears that you might have a bowel inflammation. However, other causes to be evaluated includes small and large bowel non inflammatory conditions, lymph nodes, any conditions involving gall bladder or kidney and ureter. Conditions in the pelvis must also be thought of depending on the exact location and radiation of pain.
3. CT scan is a safe investigation in present days. The XXXXXXX used is a non ionic contrast and the chance of a adverse outcome is negligible. In my 10 years of seeing patients undergoing CT scan every day, I have not had any serious emergency at my hospital. One of the concerns with the XXXXXXX injection is an abnormal kidney function test and I guess your kidney function is normal.
4. Virtual colonoscopy or regular colonoscopy can be thought of only if there are indications of doing the test after studying the CT scan findings.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
CT scan abdomen is a safe investigation, you might have bowel inflammation
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing back with an update.
1. There are many conditions that might cause pain other than diverticulitis in the right mid abdomen and continuing in the front and back. The nerve distribution of many structures overlap and therefore it is best that you get a CT scan done to confirm or rule out the cause of your pain.
2. Diverticulitis pain is usually on the left side but it can also appear in central or right side. In your case it appears that you might have a bowel inflammation. However, other causes to be evaluated includes small and large bowel non inflammatory conditions, lymph nodes, any conditions involving gall bladder or kidney and ureter. Conditions in the pelvis must also be thought of depending on the exact location and radiation of pain.
3. CT scan is a safe investigation in present days. The XXXXXXX used is a non ionic contrast and the chance of a adverse outcome is negligible. In my 10 years of seeing patients undergoing CT scan every day, I have not had any serious emergency at my hospital. One of the concerns with the XXXXXXX injection is an abnormal kidney function test and I guess your kidney function is normal.
4. Virtual colonoscopy or regular colonoscopy can be thought of only if there are indications of doing the test after studying the CT scan findings.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Shanthi.E
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