Choice of double contrast barium enema (DCBE) method based on patient exposure dose

Morbidity of colon cancer continues to increase, taking second and third places in malignant tumors. The incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) increases exponentially with age; those over 50 years of age represent 37% of general population, yet account for 95% of the cases, and more than 96% of the deaths from colon malignancies For a long time radiologic examinations were considered as a main pre-operative diagnostic method for cancer of the colon. The sensitivity of the barium enema with regard to diagnosis of the carcinoma and polyps ranges from 92-98.5%. Sigmoidoscopy for detection and removal of polyps has been shown to decrease the incidence of subsequent CRC's by 70-80% in distal colon. However, the sigmoid colon is often difficult to examine because of associated diverticular disease, and about 15% of tumors in the sigmoid colon are overlooked. Authors)