Virtual colonoscopy is a new technology that uses computerized tomography (CT) images to look for polyps and cancer in the colon. The result is a computer-generated, animated, three-dimensional view of the interior of the colon. The preparation for the procedure is similar to that for a colonoscopy, but the procedure itself takes only about 10 minutes, and no sedation is required. If abnormalities are found, a conventional colonoscopy is performed for removal or biopsy of the growth.