Detection of intracolonic lesion by barium contrast enema. The importance of adequate colon preparation to diagnostic accuracy
C. O. Knutson, H. C. Williams and M. H. Max
Frequently, the clinical significance of the barium contrast enema is
minimal because of inadequate colon preparation prior to examination. The
frequency of false-positive routine barium enemas was 17% in 230
consecutive patients who underwent colonoscopy for removal of specific
radiographically identified polypoid colon lesions. Initial barium enema
inaccuracies were documented with postendoscopic air-contrast radiography
in colons that were endoscopically proved to be mechanically clean
following a two-day colon preparation. These results suggest that more
emphasis on a two-day colon preparation, before the initial barium contrast
enema, would substantially reduce the frequency of false-positive
interpretations.
