CT colonography is a minimally invasive procedure compared to a conventional colonoscopy, that’s used to investigate and diagnose problems in the large intestine.
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CT colonography
Also known as: virtual colonoscopy, CT colonograpy
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What is it for?
To investigate problems in the large intestine
On this page
Overview
Computed tomography (CT) colonography is a procedure that uses a CT scanner to take x-ray images of the inside of your whole belly, and in particular your colon (also known as the large intestine and large bowel).
Your doctors and care team may also refer to CT colonography as CTC or a virtual colonoscopy.
CT colonography is mainly used to look for polyps and cancers in the colon and rectum.
It’s also used to investigate symptoms such as changes in your bowel movements and blood in your poo.
The main benefit of a CT colonography over a conventional colonoscopy is that it’s not an invasive procedure.
This means it’s often used for people who are too frail to have a colonoscopy, or if there are other reasons why a colonoscopy is not suitable.
At The London Clinic, your CT colonography will be overseen by world-class radiologists and an expert multidisciplinary team who have a lot of experience carrying out this type of procedure.
You’ll also be scanned by a state-of-the-art CT scanner that allows us to create 3D images from inside your body.
As one of our patients, you’ll also receive exceptional personalised care and support that puts your wellbeing and recovery at the heart of your experience with us.
Contact us today to find out more about our private CT colonography service and start your five-star journey with The London Clinic.
Diagnostic information
Why might I need CT colonography?
Your consultant may recommend a virtual colonoscopy to look for signs of bowel cancer and diagnose other bowel conditions such as Crohn’s disease.
A colonoscopy may also be used to investigate new bowel symptoms including:
- Abdominal pain
- A change in your bowel movements, such as diarrhoea or constipation
- Blood in your poo
- Suspected polyps
- Weight loss
FAQs
Before your virtual colonoscopy, you’ll need to empty your bowel.
This is to help your consultant get clear views of inside your colon.
To empty your bowel, you’ll be given pills or a medicine, such as a laxative, to take the day before your procedure.
Two days before your CT colonography, your consultant may also ask you to swallow a special fluid containing iodine. This helps the CT scanner to produce better images of the inside of your colon.
If you know you’re allergic to iodine, you should tell your consultant straightaway.
You should also tell your consultant if you’re pregnant, because the x-rays carried by the CT scanner could affect your unborn baby.
Your world-leading radiologist will perform your virtual colonoscopy as an outpatient procedure. It usually lasts about 20 minutes.
To start, you’ll be asked to lie on a CT scanning table while a radiologist injects medicine to make the muscles of your bowel wall relax.
Next, the radiologist will place a thin tube into your bottom so carbon dioxide can be blown into your bowel.
This will expand your bowel so clearer images of inside your colon can be seen.
The radiologist will then move a CT scanner around the outside of your body to take images from different angles. This will involve you lying on your back and your front.
Overall, the CT scanner will take around 600 ‘image slices’.
These images are then used by a computer to create 3D images of your large intestine and other areas of your belly.
We offer Fixed Price Packages
Where possible, we’ll provide a fixed-price package for your hospital care. This covers your hospital stay, nursing, and use of our facilities, giving you a clear guide to what those costs will be.
- Pre-op assessment
- Hospital stay, nursing care and meals
- Tests, scans and physio during your stay
- Take-home medication (up to 5 days)
- Post-op follow-up appointments
- Standard equipment or prosthesis (if needed)
- Unplanned extended stay or ITU (if clinically required)
- Initial consultation and any tests done during it
- Consultant and anaesthetist fees (quoted separately)
- Physio or therapy before or after your stay
- Diagnostics before admission (unless agreed in your plan)
- Specialist medication beyond 5 days
- Ambulance transport or bespoke prosthetics
Your consultant’s fees are quoted separately and shared directly by their office after your consultation. These professional fees cover the time, expertise, and care provided by your consultant before, during, and after your treatment. See our full terms and conditions
Your journey with us
Step 1 Talk to a consultant
You’ll start by meeting one of our expert consultants. They’ll take the time to understand your concerns, talk you through any symptoms or history, and discuss the next steps. If you need tests or scans, they’ll arrange them - often on the same day.
Step 2 Get the care you need
Whether you’re having further tests, a minor procedure or surgery, we’ll support you throughout. Our facilities include state-of-the-art diagnostics and comfortable private rooms, and you’ll be cared for by a specialist team who understand your condition and treatment pathway.
Step 3 Recover with expert aftercare
Care doesn’t end when your treatment does. From one-to-one nursing to specialist therapies and dedicated aftercare support, we’ll help you recover comfortably and confidently - with your consultant and wider care team staying involved throughout.
Why choose The London Clinic?
Trusted for over 90 years, The London Clinic is an independent charitable hospital that reinvests into care, research, and support for those who can’t easily access private treatment.
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More patients choose The London Clinic than any other.
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0% Finance Options
We’ve teamed up with Chrysalis to offer you funding options that allow you to spread the cost of your treatment.
If you choose to pay for your treatment at The London Clinic over 12 months, you can make use of a great 0% interest option and pay nothing extra. Or you can choose to pay over two to five years at 14.9% APR.
Trustees of the London Clinic Ltd trading as The London Clinic is an Appointed Representative of Chrysalis Finance Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. The London Clinic is a credit broker, not a lender. The provider of a payment scheme which is not offered through or by Chrysalis Finance Limited may not be so authorised and regulated. Cancer treatments or transplants aren’t covered by finance packages. Finance options are only available for UK patients.