Colonoscopy: Information & colonoscopy specialists
Author
Leading Medicine Guide Editors
Colonoscopy is a procedure used to reliably and safely examine the colon for colon cancer, colon polyps and other intestinal diseases and to take tissue samples and remove colon polyps.
A colonoscopy is also known colloquially as a colonoscopy. This refers to the examination of the large intestine (colon) using an endoscope (in this case: colonoscope).
An endoscope is a tube-like instrument that is used to examine hollow organs. It contains a camera lens, a light and, if necessary, other tiny instruments.
The colonoscope is inserted through the anus into the bowel. The camera sends an image from inside the body to a monitor. This allows the colonoscopy specialists to
view the large intestine (i.e. the intestinal wall with the intestinal mucosa) from the inside,
Colonoscopy is a standard examination and the most important examination for the early detection of bowel cancer. It is part of the statutory screening for bowel cancer from the age of 55.
A colonoscopy is important for the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of various diseases.
Colon cancer screening
An endoscopic colon examination using a colonoscope enables doctors to detect colorectal cancer at an early stage. Early diagnosis and treatment significantly increases the chances of recovery.
This is why colonoscopy is also part of statutory bowel cancer screening.
Diagnosis of bowel diseases
A colonoscopy is used to clarify certain symptoms. The symptoms include, for example
Intestinal polyps are benign, small growths inside the intestine. They can degenerate over many years and develop into bowel cancer. This is why intestinal polyps are considered precancerous.
The colonoscope can be used to insert tiny forceps, scissors and loops into the bowel. This allows intestinal polyps to be reliably removed so that major surgery is often no longer necessary.
What is the procedure for a colonoscopy?
For a clear assessment of the bowel wall and mucous membrane, the bowel must be completely emptied and cleaned. For this purpose, the patient is given a laxative the day before the examination. They should also drink a lot.
This flushes out the bowel so that the patient only excretes clear fluid. The colonoscopy is only meaningful with careful preparation.
When performing a colonoscopy, a distinction must be made between classic and modern colonoscopy.
Performing a classic colonoscopy
The classic colonoscopy takes about 20 minutes.
The doctor inserts the endoscope into the large intestine via the anus up to the junction with the small intestine. Air is carefully blown in as the endoscope is pushed forward and the bowel unfolds.
During the retraction, the doctor uses the rotating camera to view the intestinal wall and the intestinal mucosa.
The examination is painless. However, most patients prefer a mild sedative so that they do not feel anything from the colonoscopy.
Performing the virtual colonoscopy
Modern virtual colonoscopy (CT colonography), on the other hand, takes place completely outside the body.
First, cross-sectional images are generated using computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A computer then compiles these images into a three-dimensional image of the intestine.
The doctor can then examine the bowel virtually on the screen for changes such as intestinal polyps or intestinal protrusions.
The following videos show what clinical pictures look like in a colonoscopy:
Which specialists and specialist clinics carry out colonoscopies?
Specialists for classic colonoscopy are usually gastroenterologists, i.e. specialists for gastrointestinal diseases.
A CT or MRI scanner is required for virtual colonoscopy. Therefore, virtual colonoscopy is performed in special radiology centers or clinics for colonoscopy.
What are the risks of a colonoscopy?
Provided the doctor has the appropriate experience, colonoscopy is a safe procedure with few complications.
Sometimes, however, there may be minor injuries to the intestinal mucosa andbleeding as a result. In rare cases, the bowel can also be perforated.
