Abstract
With a view to the early diagnosis of colo-rectal cancer, we combined colonofiberscopy (CF) followed by barium enema study on the same occasion. There were 111 cases of combined examination and 104 of CF examination alone. The method was as follows. Bowel preparation was done by a modification of Brown's method (using 3 packs of Boncolon diet and laxatives). Initially we examined left side of the colon or the deeper colon using a CFMB3R or CFLB3 (Olympus Co., Led) by one man method without X-ray fluoroscopy. After allowing the patient to take a short rest, an X-ray examination of a barium enema study was performed.
The conclusions were as follows:
1) This method can save time and trouble for the patient because of the single bowel preparation.
2) Giving CF first may provide an earlier diagnosis and earlier treatment for patients and may sometimes prevent the neeed for X-ray barium enema study.
3) This method was highly effective for the early diagnosis of colorectal cancer because of the double check of the left side colon, especially the rectum and the sigmoid colon, where cancer and polyps occur most frequently.
4) A disadvantage of CF preceding the barium enema study was that the barium enema study was slighlty worse than usual because of air locks and increased mucous secretion.
