Evaluation of contrast-enhanced computed tomographic colonography in detection of local recurrent colorectal cancer

AIM:To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy,sensitivity, specificity of contrast-enhanced computed tomographic colonography in detecting local recurrence of colorectal cancer. METHODS:From January 2000 to December 2004, 434 patients after potentially curative resection for in- vasive colorectal cancer were followed up for a period ranging from 20 to 55 mo.Eighty of the four hundred and thirty-four patients showing strong clinical evidence for recurring colorectal cancer during the last follow- up were enrolled in this study.Each patient underwent contrast-enhanced computed tomographic colonography and colonoscopy on the same day.Any lesions,biopsies, identified during the colonoscopic examination,imme- diate complications and the duration of the procedure were recorded.The results of contrast-enhanced com- puted tomographic colonography were evaluated by comparing to those of colonoscopy,surgical finding,and clinical follow-up. RESULTS:Contrast-enhanced computed tomographic colonography had a sensitivity of 100%,a specificity of 83% and an overall accuracy of 94% in detecting local recurrent colorectal cancer. CONCLUSION:Conventional colonoscopy and contrast- enhanced tomographic colonography can complement each other in detecting local recurrence of colorectal cancer.