[CT-pneumocolon in the diagnosis of colorectal carcinoma]

Accurate preoperative examination and early diagnosis of possible recurrence of the disease play an important role in successful therapy of colorectal carcinoma. At present, modifications of classical examination are being applied, too. In this paper the first experience in using the CT pneumocolon for diagnosing the colorectal cancer is presented. The method improves the diagnostic possibilities of the classical CT examination technique. It enables to image the morphology of the tumour in the air insufflated colon lumen, tumour infiltration outside intestinal wall, localization of organs in the presupposed operation field and possible infiltration of lymph-nodes or liver metastases. The examination has proved easy to be performed with minimal patient's discomfort.