Colonoscopy is a diagnostic test that uses an endoscopic probe to explore the internal walls of the colon to determine the presence of any lesions, ulcers, blockages and, above all, tumor masses .
This type of test is a fundamental prevention tool for everyone, although it is recommended as a screening test especially for those at risk. With a simple test of this type, it is already possible to identify and, if necessary, remove very small tumors , thus preventing their irreversible degeneration.
Colonoscopy can prevent the second most commonly diagnosed cancer in Italy: colorectal cancer . The test is usually performed following a positive fecal occult blood test, a type of test included in regional screening programs for the early detection of this terrible disease.
Although this type of examination is performed with every possible care and is becoming less and less uncomfortable, it is still considered a potentially painful and embarrassing test given the undeniable invasiveness of the procedure. It uses a colonoscope, a flexible tube equipped with a microcamera that is manually inserted into the anal canal.
Medical science has recently continued to make significant strides in this type of examination. Speaking of colonoscopy, a major innovation has recently been introduced: virtual colonoscopy. Let's find out what it is.
Virtual colonoscopy is a noninvasive radiological technique designed to observe the colon wall without using an endoscopy probe . This makes the exam much less invasive than a traditional colonoscopy, while also obtaining much more detailed results.
This type of technique is used where traditional procedures are inaccessible, such as when a serious condition prevents access. Virtual colonoscopy provides a more complete picture of the patient's condition, evaluating the intestinal tracts located upstream of obstructive or sub-occlusive growths.
Going into the specifics of this technique, we can define it as an endoscopic procedure performed with 3D computer reconstructions after a simple CT scan. The computer will create a graphic animation showing images of the colon's mucosal surface, with an accuracy equal to or even superior to traditional colonoscopy.
Virtual colonoscopy is recommended as a screening method especially for those over fifty who are considered at risk or who have already undergone endoscopic polypectomy and are deemed to require further investigations.
The only disadvantage compared to traditional colonoscopy is that the virtual colonoscopy naturally does not allow for biopsies . For this reason, it is not recommended for patients considered at risk for a polyp or colon cancer, for which the traditional endoscopic probe allows immediate removal. It will obviously be up to your specialist to direct you towards the most appropriate technique. What is certain is that technological and medical progress are making ever greater strides.
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