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Previous studies suggest that computed tomographic colonography (CTC) is more sensitive than double-contrast barium enema (DCBE) for detecting large polyps and is better tolerated and preferred by patients. Now, these findings have been confirmed in the first randomized controlled trial to compare the performance of CTC and DCBE in diagnosing colorectal cancer and large polyps in symptomatic patients.
Of 3838 patients from 21 hospitals in the U.K., 1285 patients were assigned to undergo CTC and 2553 patients were assigned to undergo DCBE. The detection rate of large polyps and cancer was higher with CTC versus DCBE (7.3% vs. 5.6%; relative risk, 1.31; P=0.039). During 3 years of follow-up, 3 of 45 colorectal cancers were found to be missed b…