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Results
By Mayo Clinic staffYour doctor will review the results of the colonoscopy and then share the results with you.
- Negative result. A virtual colonoscopy is considered negative if the doctor doesn't find any abnormalities in the colon. If you're at average risk of colon cancer — you have no colon cancer risk factors other than age — your doctor may recommend repeating the exam in five years. Because virtual colonoscopy is still considered experimental, firm guidelines about the ideal frequency of screening haven't been established.
- Positive result. A virtual colonoscopy is considered positive if the images reveal any polyps or other abnormal tissue in the colon. Depending on the size and number of polyps, your doctor may recommend a traditional colonoscopy to obtain samples of the abnormal tissue or remove the polyps. In some cases, the traditional colonoscopy can be done the same day as the virtual colonoscopy — but you'll need someone to take you home afterward because a traditional colonoscopy is typically done under sedation.
If your doctor is concerned about the quality of the view through the scope, he or she may recommend a repeat virtual colonoscopy or another screening test.
References
- Schilling McCann JA, ed. Diagnostic Tests. Philadelphia, Pa.: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2007:106.
- Virtual colonoscopy. National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/virtualcolonoscopy. Accessed March 18, 2009.
- Cancer imaging. National Cancer Institute. http://imaging.cancer.gov/imaginginformation/cancerimaging/page9. Accessed March 18, 2009.
- Levin B, et al. Screening and surveillance for the early detection of colorectal cancer and adenomatous polyps, 2008: A joint guideline from the American Cancer Society, the US Multi-Society Task Force on Colorectal Cancer, and the American College of Radiology. Gastroenterology. 2008;134:1570.
- Fletcher RH. Screening strategies in patients at average risk for colorectal cancer. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed March 18, 2009.
- Weinberg DS. In the clinic: Colorectal cancer screening. Annals of Internal Medicine. 2008;148:ITC2-1.
- Kruskal JB. Computed tomographic colonography. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed March 18, 2009.
- Yee J. Patient preparation for CT colonography. In: Lefere P, ed. Virtual Colonoscopy: A Practical Guide. New York, N.Y.: Springer; 2006:23.
- Johnson CD, et al. Accuracy of CT colonography for detection of large adenomas and cancers. New England Journal of Medicine. 2008;359:1207.
