Prevention has never been easier.

Although it is 90% preventable, colorectal cancer remains one of the three leading causes of cancer related deaths in America.

Incredibly, nearly three-quarters of those who should be screened avoid it altogether.

Virtual colonoscopy is a clinically accepted breakthrough in colorectal screening. It is a safe, accurate and lifestyle-friendly alternative to the traditional test.

Accuracy you can trust

3-D endoscopic view shows a 7 mm bulbous sessile polyp with soft tissue attenuation in the sigmoid colon


Automatic 3-D segmentation (similar to double contrast barium enema) of colon with midline path for endoscopic viewing

Following the completion of numerous clinical trials, the results have consistently demonstrated that virtual colonoscopy’s usefulness in identifying polyps is comparable to traditional colonoscopy. According to the New England Journal of Medicine, 3D virtual colonoscopy is “just as accurate” as the traditional test.

Faster and easier
Virtual colonoscopy requires a mild prep, no anesthesia, no invasive scope and is completed in about 5-10 minutes. No hospital stay or recovery time is required, and you can resume normal activities immediately following your examination. In fact, patients prefer virtual colonoscopy to the traditional test by more than three to one.1

Universally accepted
The American Cancer Society now lists virtual colonoscopy alongside optical colonoscopy as a recommended screening test designed to find both early colon cancer and polyps. Along with support from leading medical organizations like the American Gastroenterological Association, the American College of Gastroenterology and others, virtual colonoscopy is ready to help hundreds of thousands to get screened.

Scope-less “fly-through” and more

AutoDissection (unfolds the total length and full circumference of the region of interest, offering a global view of the colon’s inner wall


2D axial view of colon

Thanks to the advanced 3D reconstruction software used in virtual colonoscopy, the interpreting physician can literally view the colon in a “fly-through” simulation. This allows the inside of the colon to be viewed in the same fashion as with the traditional colon scope, but with the added flexibility to stop, zoom in on specific areas of concern, take detailed measurements and much more.

The screening also includes a CT scan of the entire abdominal and pelvic region. A detailed report prepared by a board certified radiologist will accompany your virtual colonoscopy report.

Appropriate for many
When it’s time for your colon screening, virtual colonoscopy is an appropriate option for the following indications:
• As a baseline screening test: recommended for all individuals over 50 at average risk or younger patients at a higher risk, as determined by a physician
• For individuals at risk of bowel perforation
• For individuals on blood-thinning medication
• For individuals whose traditional colonoscopy is inconclusive
• For individuals who refuse to have the traditional test

Note: Virtual colonoscopy is not recommended for those that have had multiple polyps removed within the past 5 years, suffer from inflammatory bowel disease or are experiencing rectal bleeding.

Cost effective
Not all insurance covers virtual colonoscopy. Please contact InnerVision for more information on current reimbursement policies. However, if your insurance plan has limited colon screening coverage, a virtual colonoscopy may still end up costing you less out-of-pocket.

The traditional test is much more expensive. It involves a hospital or facility fee, anesthesia, doctor’s fee, preparation and more. You will also have deductible and co-pay amounts to consider. In some cases, the cost of the deductible alone may be more than the cost of a virtual colonoscopy.

Polyps - more than meets the eye
In order for a polyp to be removed, it must first be “seen”. Virtual colonoscopy is not limited by anatomy and is able to visualize 100% of the colon. While still considered the gold standard for identifying polyps, traditional colonoscopy fails to reach the proximal colon (cecum) in 10-15% of cases, and consequently may miss 10-20% of polyps.

Once a polyp is detected, virtual colonoscopy is not able to remove them. However, there is less than a 7% chance that there will be a polyp large enough to warrant removal. Current guidelines do not find polyps smaller than 5mm worthy of being removed (less than a 0.01% of it being cancerous in its current state and only a 1% chance of it becoming cancerous in the next 10 years). In such cases, the risk and expense associated with their removal far outweigh the cancer risk.

A better option is closer than you think.
InnerVision Wellness Imaging is located just off of I-5 in South Carlsbad, with easy access and plenty of parking.














1 Gluecker TM, Johnson CD, et al. Colorectal Cancer Screening with CT Colonography, Colonoscopy and Double-Contrast Barium Enema Examination: Prospective Assessment of Patient Perceptions and Preferences. Radiology. 2003;227:378-384.