General information on Virtual Colonoscopy is available here, as well as information on our activities at Boston Medical Center surrounding this exciting new screening tool. You can also  view our blog for regular updates, view teaching cases and relevant journal articles: http://www.bostondiagnostics.blogspot.com/

Virtual Colonoscopy is a new method that allows doctors to look at the large bowel (colon) to detect polyps and cancers. Polyps are small growths in the colon that may become cancerous if they are not removed. Virtual Colonoscopy is a recently developed technique that uses a CT scanner and computer virtual reality software to look inside the body without having to insert a long tube (Conventional Colonoscopy) into the colon or without having to fill the colon with liquid barium (Barium Enema).

Research performed at Boston University and elsewhere has shown that Virtual Colonoscopy is better able to see polyps than Barium Enema and is nearly as accurate as Conventional Colonoscopy. In addition, most patients report that the Virtual Colonoscopy technique is more comfortable than either Barium Enema or Conventional Colonoscopy.

Katie Couric's Virtual Colonoscopy - http://msnbc.msn.com/id/3079461/

"New cutting edge technology may mean less invasive procedures for colon cancer screening in the future. Watch this special report as “Today” host Katie Couric undergoes a virtual colonoscopy."