During colonoscopy, a flexible Fiberoptic or video colonoscope is used to visualize, examine and photograph the large intestine including the anus, the rectum and the sigmoid, transverse and ascending colon. This procedure is most frequently used for cancer screening and for surveillance in patients with previous colon cancer or polyps. In addition, tissue biopsies can be obtained as needed and polyps can be removed and evaluated. Other uses of colonoscopy include the evaluation of patients with diarrhea of unknown cause, occult bleeding, or anemia; further study of abnormalities detected after a barium enema and diagnosis clarification and determination of the extent of inflammatory or other bowel disease. Colonoscopy is contraindicated if the patient has a suspected or documented colon perforation, acute severe diverticulitis or fulminant colitis.
