Colorectal cancer is the second most common cause of cancer related death in the United States. With proper screening, colorectal cancer may be avoided by early detection and removal of polyps. Virtual Colonoscopy is used to screen for polyps or cancers in the large intestine. Polyps are growths that arise from the inner lining of the intestine, which have been known to take several years before becoming cancerous. CT colonography uses low dose radiation to obtain an interior view of the large intestine, otherwise only seen with a more invasive procedure. Virtual Colonoscopy requires no sedation and eliminates the discomfort associated with a traditional colonoscopy. Hundreds of cross-sectional images of the abdomen are obtained to render a 3-D picture of the colon. A virtual fly through of the colon is then reviewed by a board certified radiologist.
