Abdominal CT Scan vs. Virtual Colonoscopy: Kidney Stone Imaging & Contrast

Question
I may be wrong but from what I've read it sounds like an abdominal CT scan is the same as a virtual colonoscopy. Can they also scan the kidneys/ureter for stones with this scan, or is that another kind of CT scan?   Thanks

Answer
a cat scan for kidney stones is typically done without contrast dye.  The abdominal CT in general is done with dye to look for organ problems.  The virtual colonoscopy is a special cat scan done after someone has prepped (like you do for a colonoscopy) and then pumped full of air.  Virtual colonoscopies are still only in the experimental phase and not done routinely, so cannot replace the colonoscopy at this time.