What is a Colon Transit Study?
This examination is used to investigate your bowel movements. It can help separate simple constipation from more severe constipation and obstructed defaecation. The procedure takes one week (Monday to Friday). You may be referred for this procedure if you are having problems with constipation or have or are suspected to have a pseudo-obstruction or irritable bowel syndrome.
How long does a Colon Transit Study take?
This procedure takes one week (Monday to Friday) to complete. You are required to attend twice on the Monday, once in the morning and once in the afternoon. Then for the remainder of the week, just once early in the morning.
What preparation is there for a Colon Transit Study?
Laxatives will need to be stopped three days before and for the duration of the study
Please bring your referral from the doctor, any relevant recent scans/tests, and your Medicare card
What does a Colon Transit Study involve?
A colon transit scan is conducted over 5 consecutive days:
On the morning of your initial appointment you will be given a glass of water containing a very small amount of radiation. There are no side effects from the drink. You may drink and eat normally for the remainder of the test period. You will be asked to return approximately six hours later for your first scan. This will take approximately 10 minutes.
Day 2 -5: Tuesday – Friday:
You will then be given a time to return to the practice each morning for the next four days, approximately 8:00AM. The imaging will be the same every day and will take 10 minutes. You will be positioned on your back on a scanning bed as a special gamma camera takes images of your abdomen from the front and back.
When are the results available?
After your scan is completed a Nuclear Medicine Physician will review your scan and write a report of the results. This report and the scan images will be sent securely electronically to your referring doctor/specialist. If you require your results to be sent to a different doctor please advise the staff on the day of your scan.
Are there any costs for this scan?
No, your scan will be Bulk Billed. This means there is NO out of pocket cost for you if you qualify for Medicare.