CT colonography is a non-invasive method of examining the large intestine, aimed at early detection of early cancer and precancerous state. The examination uses X-rays, its duration depends on whether a contrast agent is used and together with preparation it lasts from 20 to 30 minutes.

Note: As opposed to a colonoscopy, it is not possible to collect tissue samples for histopathological examination during a colonography.

Preparation for the examination

Two days before the examination: 

You should use no-residue diet and not to eat vegetables and fruits. You should not eat pastas and bread, in particular wholemeal bread, but you can eat small amounts of rusks. You can base your diet on dairy products (milk, yoghurt), eggs, boiled meat.

One day before the examination:

You should drink baryte liquid (the patient should take the baryte from the hospital reception at least three days before the test). 20ml during each of the 3 daily meals (breakfast, dinner, supper)

  • In the afternoon (4.00 p.m. – 5.00 p.m.) you should take Epsom salt (1 spoon in a glass of water), which is available in pharmacies without presc.ription in the form of tablets
  • At 7.00 p.m. you should take 4 tablets of Bisacodyl – available in pharmacies without presc.ription

On the day of the examination:

  • Early in the morning you should drink 20 ml of uropoline dissolved in a glass of water.
  • Early in the morning (about 2 - 3 hours before the test) in the hospital you take contrast called Omnipaque 300 (iohexol) orally in an amount of 20 ml dissolved in a glass of water.
  • You should drink only fluids without sugar, still water or tea.

After the examination:

For some time after the examination, the stools will be white and harder than normal. In order to avoid constipation, you should drink large volumes of water and eat fruits to cleanse the intestine from the contrast agent.