Patient information:
Your doctor has requested to perform Colonography guided by Computed Tomography (Colonoscopy / Virtual Endoscopy), this examination consists of performing an abdominal tomography to view the colon (large intestine) and allows the identification of intestinal polyps, diverticula, neoplasms (cancer) , in addition to strictures (narrowing) and chronic changes related to inflammatory bowel disease.
This test has a sensitivity similar to colonoscopy for the visualization of polyps with six or more millimeters and colon neoplasms.
However, for the test to be effective, it is essential that there are not many stools in the intestine on the day of the test.
Therefore, you must follow a diet (as instructed by the nurse) for two days and, on the day before the exam, take laxative medications.
On the day of the exam, it is necessary to administer air in the large intestine to distend the colon, making all its portions more visible, this is done with the injection of gas through a small probe introduced via the anal. Immediately after the examination, the probe is removed and the gas is spontaneously eliminated. In most cases, it is also necessary to administer a venous contrast agent. Immediately after the exam, you will be able to eat and return to your usual activities.
Food preparation: Start 2 days before the exam.
The day before (2 days before the exam):
– CANNOT: fruits, vegetables, seeds, legumes, red meat, pork and chicken pieces. Avoid bread (especially brown bread), cereals, milk and cheese, yogurt, coffee, sauce (white, cheese, red), beans, soy, corn and peas.
– CAN: consume soups / broths (beat in a blender / paste), rice, pasta (garlic and oil), eggs, tuna, fish fillet, cracker, toast, gelatin (light color), fruit popsicle ( light color), tea (light color), water, coconut water, the use of isotonic drinks (Gatorade, I9, Powerade) (light color) is advisable and helps in replacing the electrolytes lost during preparation.
Eve (24 hours before the exam):
– CANNOT: Milk or dairy products, tomatoes, orange juices, soft drinks, industrialized juices (dark colored), coffee.
– MAY: Start liquid diet without residues throughout the day, strained clear soups (take only water) or Vono soups (found in the market), gelatin (light colored), water, coconut water, tea (light colored) , strained or boxed natural juices (light colored), fruit popsicle (light colored), the use of isotonic drinks (Gatorade, I9, Powerade) (light colored) is advisable and helps in replacing the electrolytes lost during preparation.
Drug preparation:
Eve (24 hours before the exam):
– At 8 am and 2 pm, take 10 mg of sodium picosulfate (4 gelatinous beads) or 20 drops of the Guttalax oral solution;
– At 9 pm, take 10 mg of bisacodyl (2 tablets of Dulcolax) and dilute 50 ml of contrast (to be delivered by the nurse on the day of the exam appointment) in 150 ml of water or coconut water or Gatorade (light color) .
On the morning of the exam:
– Fasting for 4 hours;
– If you use medication for continuous use, you should normally take it with little water at 6 am.