London Radiology | CT Colonoscopy London | London Radiology | London Radiologist

Whilst CT scanning uses X-rays, the radiation dose used for medical imaging tend to be very low and equivalent to 1 to 3 years of average background radiation found in the UK (from naturally occurring radiation in the rock and earth). Whilst there is theoretical harm from radiation by slightly increasing the risk of developing cancer (about 1 in 10,000 people), there is a lack of evidence showing harm to adults patients undergoing CT for diagnostic imaging. Indeed, some physicists advocate small radiation doses might confer benefit, for example airline pilots are exposed to increased radiation dose (cosmic radiation) and have lower rates of cancer compared to the general population. Overall, London Radiology has a judicious approach to using radiation by keeping dose as low as reasonably achievable. In practical terms this means avoiding use of X-radiation in children and young adults where possible and limiting dose for our adult clients to optimise the balance between benefit and risk.

Our patients generally prefer to be scanned at the beginning of the day for several reasons • There is no need to spend the day without eating. • Less time off work is needed- many people go to work straight after their test. • If the scan indicates that an additional test is required we may be able to organise it for the same day.

Sedation or pain relief is not needed for this test. Most people find that it can be a little uncomfortable, but as soon as the test is finished the discomfort will ease. Because there is no sedation, this test will not affect your ability to drive.

As with any test to examine the bowel, there is a small risk of making a tear (perforation) in the lining of the bowel. The risk of that happening with this test is less than 1 in 3000, which is safer than barium enema and colonoscopy. Even where perforation occurs, many patients have no symptoms at all and very few will require further intervention. If you are given any drugs during your test the radiographer performing the test will give an explanation of any potential risks or side effects they may have.