Computed tomographic colonography (virtual colonoscopy)
Summary
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has issued full guidance to the NHS in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland on computed tomographic colonoscopy (virtual colonography).
Description
CT colonography is used to examine the colon and rectum, and detect abnormalities such as polyps and cancer. Polyps are growths in the lining of the colon or rectum that protrude into the intestinal canal. They may be hyperplastic, which are completely benign or adenomatousin type, which have the potential to become malignant.
Conventional colonoscopy and double contrast barium enema are the main methods currently used for examining the entire colon. The bowel must be empty before either of these procedures is performed.
CT colonography is less invasive than a conventional colonoscopy. It involves using a CT scanner to produce 2- and 3-dimensional images of the entire colon and rectum.
CT colonography is performed on an empty bowel. Sedation is not usually required. The colon is distended by insufflation with air or carbon dioxide, via a small rectal tube. Antispasmodic agents and/or contrast agents may be administered intravenously before the scan. The CT scan is done with the patient holding his or her breath for approximately 20 seconds in both the supine and prone positions.
The images are then manipulated and interpreted by a radiologist.
NICE Pathways
This guidance has been incorporated into the following NICE Pathways, along with other related guidance and products.
Visit the NICE Pathway: colonoscopic surveillance | colorectal cancer
OPCS4.6 Code(s):
U17.5 Computed tomography of colon Y97. Radiology with contrast
Y98.1 Radiology of one body area (or < twenty minutes)
Note: A code from category Y97.- Radiology with contrast is only assigned if contrast is used
The NHS Classifications Service of NHS Connecting for Health is the central definitive source for clinical coding guidance and determines the coding standards associated with the classifications (OPCS-4 and ICD-10) to be used across the NHS. The NHS Classifications Service and NICE work collaboratively to ensure the most appropriate classification codes are provided. www.connectingforhealth.co.uk/clinicalcoding
Details
Diagnostic procedures
Digestive system
Royal College of Radiologists.
Society of Radiographers.
British Society of Gastroenterology.
Special Interest Group in Gastrointestinal and Abdominal Radiology (SIGGAR).
Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland
Contact details:
(for procedure specific enquiries or comments)
ip@nice.org.uk
Interventional Procedures Programme
National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence
MidCity Place
71 High Holborn
London
WC1V 6NA
Links:
This page was last updated: 10 November 2011
