title: Virtual colonoscopy: a new promising technique.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Virtual colonoscopy is less invasive than conventional colonoscopy and does not require a conscious sedation.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Virtual colonoscopy using the abdominal spiral computed tomography scanning allows a total colonic evaluation with minimal invasiveness.
  
  
  METHODS
  We studied 48 patients with a virtual colonoscopy using oral iodinated contrast. Colonic lavage was achieved with an oral polyethylene glycols preparation. We examined patients who had refused a colonoscopic examinations, or patients with a stenotic processes, in which it was not possible to examine the proximal colon using standard methods.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Our indications for CT virtual colonoscopy were following: firstly, when colonic examination by other methods (colonoscopy, barium enema) failed or was not possible, and secondly, to exclude tumour duplicity in cases with an already verified colon tumour. 26 patients underwent a virtual colonoscopy examination based on the first indication, and 22 patients based on the second indication.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In summary, our results show that virtual colonoscopy is a promising method in detecting individuals with significant colorectal lesions. The aim of the present study was to assess the ability of virtual colonoscopy using oral contrast to detect patients with colorectal lesions who need a colonoscopy (Tab. 2, Fig. 3, Ref. 4). Full Text (Free, PDF) www.bmj.sk.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University Hospital Ostrava, Ostrava Poruba, Czech Republic. petrvavra@yahoo.co.uk
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Vavra
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vavrova
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dostalik
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Martinek
authors.forename: Ahmed
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: El-Gendi
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Papaevangelou
mesh_terms: D023881:Colonography, Computed Tomographic / Q000379:methods*; D003287:Contrast Media; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media