Barium enema and CT studies in evaluation of recurrent colorectal carcinoma

The efficacy of barium enema examination and abdominal CT was investigated in 81 patients who had undergone operation for colorectal carcinoma. The sensitivity of the barium enema examination for detecting recurrent carcinoma was 80%, compared to 71% for CT, which also demonstrated remote metastases. Barium enema examination was most useful in evaluating for metachronous neopolasms and recurrences directly involving the anastomosis. CT was most useful for evaluating recurrences remote from the anastomosis, pelvic recurrences in patients with colostomies, and hepatic metastases. Therefore, barium enema examination and CT were complementary in the evaluation of patients with recurrent colorectal carcinoma