Yesterday I had my first ever colonoscopy as a test for my abdominal right side pain. Interestingly, the scope went OK through most of my colon, but the doctor could not manage to push it into my ascending colon - after trying for a while, he just gave up. The doctor said it happens sometimes, and he did not want to force the scope too much as it may result in perforated colon. To view this remaining part of my colon, I will have to go through virtual colonoscopy by CAT scan.
My question is - does this happen often and what are the causes? Can that be due to colon stenosis or tumor? I guess in that case the doctor would have told me so, but I just can't imagine why the scope, being flexible, cannot navigate the bend in the colon?