[Anorectal endosonography in tumor after-care].

Due to its high resolution and the possibility to compare the images with previous examinations the transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) can lead to an earlier diagnosis of locally recurrent rectal cancers. Using TRUS we were able to correctly identify ten of 12 local recurrences. In four cases TRUS was the only diagnostic tool as neither the alternative imaging technique nor endoscopy were able to show the recurrence.