CT Colonography

CT virtual colonoscopy — non-invasive imaging of the entire large bowel using air insufflation and CT to detect polyps and colorectal cancer. Listed at EUR 190 plus EUR 90 contrast agent on the official February 2026 price list. Requires standard colonoscopy bowel preparation the day before. No sedation required.

CT colonography (CTC), also known as virtual colonoscopy, uses helical CT imaging with colonic air distension to create detailed three-dimensional images of the inner colon and rectum wall without endoscopy. At Nemocnica Bory, this examination is listed at EUR 190 on the official February 2026 self-pay price list, with contrast agent adding EUR 90 when requested by the referring physician. The examination begins with standard bowel preparation the evening before — typically a low-residue diet and an oral laxative solution prescribed by the referring physician. On the day of the examination, a small flexible rectal tube is inserted and the colon is gently inflated with CO₂ gas or air. The patient is then scanned in both the supine (face-up) and prone (face-down) positions while lying still for a few seconds. The entire scan takes approximately 10 minutes; the total visit including preparation and reporting runs approximately one hour. Post-processing software generates fly-through views of the colon lining ("virtual endoscopy") as well as standard axial CT images, which the radiologist reviews for polyps, masses, wall thickening, or extracolonic findings. Any polyp of 6 mm or larger detected on CT colonography would typically prompt a recommendation for conventional colonoscopy and biopsy. CT colonography does not enable immediate tissue sampling. The technique is well-suited for patients who are unable or unwilling to undergo conventional colonoscopy, those with anticoagulation therapy where sedation carries risk, or patients who have had an incomplete optical colonoscopy. It provides a panoramic view of the entire colon from caecum to rectum in a single examination and also images surrounding pelvic and abdominal structures, sometimes revealing incidental findings. A written physician referral with stamp and signature is required. Patients should inform the radiology team of any recent abdominal surgery, inflammatory bowel disease, or perforation history.