Dr. Manwani Saloni Dilip
Obstetrics and Gynecology
The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.
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Patient's Query
Hi doctor,
I underwent a CT scan and have attended the report. I was told to fast for six hours, and I could continue to take fluids which I did; however, I did take a mouthful of diluted orange about 4.5 hours before the procedure. Would this make a difference? I did take an oral contrast drink beforehand; however, they could not give me a contrast dye injection. Is fasting required to produce clear images? I guess if they were not able to see images, they would have told me so. Please help.
Hello,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
Taking orange juice around four hours before the procedure would not make a difference in seeing the images. Yes, if the images were not clear, you would have been told about it before you left. Fasting is just to make sure bowel shadows do not obscure the field, but fluids are not a cause of concern.
Regards.
Patient's Query
Hi doctor,
Thank you for the reply.
I wanted to ask you because I was referred for colonoscopy due to poor veins. I was unable to get sedation but proceeded to do the procedure, but as I was in pain, only the left-hand size was done; nothing was found. However, I had stopped Iron tablets as I am anemic due to heavy periods of perimenopause four days before the procedure and mistakenly taken 1 to 2 days beforehand. So I had forgotten all about what would have affected the result. A consultant told me bowel preparation was good. If there had been problems, he would have told me, so he was referred for a CT scan as reassurance, and it has come back clear. I was referred due to a change of bowel habits, alternating bouts of constipation, and diarrhea with some tummy pain. Stools are yellow, mushy, and large. Also, there are a few light yellow spots in some of my bowel movements. Do you think this is anything to be concerned about?
Thank you.
Hi,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
Your symptoms seem like irritable bowel syndrome. The CT (computed tomography) scan and colonoscopy are normal in such cases. You would need to visit a Gastroenterologist for this as they specialize in dealing with this. You do not need to worry as this is generally treatable and requires dietary modifications.
Regards.
Patient's Query
Hi,
Thank you for the reply.
Is the color of the stools and the yellow spot any cause of concern and no indication of cancer. The fact that I took an Iron tablet only two days before. Would this have affected the colonoscopy result? I guess that if there were any problems with being able to visualize, they would have told me so. My consultant will meet with me in two weeks to discuss the findings in more detail and discuss a treatment plan.
Hi,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
As per my knowledge, it should not be a cause of concern. Iron tablets should not interfere with colonoscopy findings. The study is usually repeated in case the view is not adequate. So you can be reassured about that. Colon cancer does not alter the color of stools.
Regards.
Patient's Query
Hi,
Thank you for the reply.
This is an example of my current stool taken this morning. Please note that this is a smaller stool as my stool is usually twice this size and fills up the toilet bowl occasionally. Do you think this is a cause for concern?
Hi,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
The quantity of stool depends on your food intake and can be more sometimes. The appearance of stool is not sufficient to comment if everything is normal or not. I would recommend getting a stool analysis done. Then, you can relax till your appointment with the gastro.
Regards.
Patient's Query
Hi doctor,
Thank you for the reply.
The fact that the colonoscopy and CT scan are clear is reassuring anyway.
Hi,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
Yes, exactly you need not worry about it.
Patient's Query
Hi,
Thank you for the reply.
Is a CT scan effective at finding colon cancer? The radiographer told me that the best alternative is the virtual colonoscopy if you cannot have a colonoscopy. Still, they thought that it would have picked it up if there was anything major. I have heard differing reports. Although I do not exactly know the complete results of the CT scan, just that there is nothing to worry about. The consultant said he would talk me through the results so that some minor issues may be.
Thank you.
Hi,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
Colonoscopy is the gold standard for colon cancer, and the next best investigation is CT (computed tomography) scan. They would have told you immediately without waiting for two weeks if there were anything major. So you do not need to worry about it much.
Regards.
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Obstetrics and Gynecology
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