Barium enema versus colonoscopy for patients with polyps found during flexible sigmoidoscopy

This prospective study compares the accuracy of barium enema examination performed by experienced radiologists to colonoscopy performed by experienced gastroenterologists blinded to the radiographic findings to detect proximal, synchronous lesions in patients with polyps detected during fiberoptic sigmoidoscopy. Three thousand six patients were examined, of whom 147 (5%) had polyps larger than 0.5 cm in diameter. Of 114 patients who completed the protocol, 46 patients (40%) had synchronous, proximal colonic lesions. There were no radiographic false positives, but the single-contrast barium enema missed polyps in 13 while detecting polyps in 2 patients (sensitivity = 13%). The double-contrast barium enema missed proximal polyps in 23 patients while detecting them in 8 (sensitivity = 26%). We conclude that patients with neoplastic polyps found during fiberoptic sigmoidoscopy should have colonoscopy without barium enema. If the entire colon cannot be examined at colonoscopy, we advise double-contrast barium enema.     

Colonoscopy can miss diverticula of the left colon identified by barium enema

AIM: To identify the diagnostic value of colonoscopy for diverticulosis as determined by barium enema. METHODS: A total of 65 patients with hematochezia who underwent colonoscopy and barium enema were analyzed, and the diagnostic value of colonoscopy for diverticula was assessed. The receiver operating characteristic area under the curve was compared in relation to age (< 70 or ≥ 70 years), sex, and colon location. The number of diverticula was counted, and the detection ratio was calculated. RESULTS: Colonic diverticula were observed in 46 patients with barium enema. Colonoscopy had a sensitivity of 91% and specificity of 90%. No significant differences were found in the receiver operating characteristic area under the curve (ROC-AUC) for age group or sex. The ROC-AUC of the left colon was significantly lower than that of the right colon (0.81 vs 0.96, P=0.02). Colonoscopy identified 486 colonic diverticula, while barium enema identified 1186. The detection ratio for the entire colon was therefore 0.41 (486/1186). The detection ratio in the left colon (0.32, 189/588) was significantly lower than that of the right colon (0.50, 297/598) (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Compared with barium enema, only half the number of colonic diverticula can be detected by colonoscopy in the entire colon and even less in the left colon.     

Spontaneous dissection of air into the transverse mesocolon during double-contrast barium enema

Intramural perforation of the colon proximal to the rectosigmoid is a rare complication of the barium enema examination. We present a case in which air and barium entered the wall of the transverse colon, and then dissected through the transverse mesocolon during double-contrast barium enema in an asymptomatic patient with no known underlying colonic disease.     

Varicosis coli totalis: report of a case of idiopathic aetiology

A case of colonic varices manifesting with rectal bleeding in a young patient is presented. There was no evidence of portal hypertension or any other cause. Familial history was also negative. Diagnosis was established by barium enema, colonoscopy and angiography. On colonoscopy, varices involved the entire colon. At operation, dilatation of the subserosal small veins of the entire small and large bowel was confirmed. The patient underwent a subtotal colectomy with ileorectal anastomosis with satisfactory result.     

Perforation of the rectum and sigmoid colon during barium-enema examination

Perforation of the rectum or sigmoid colon complicated 5 of 2200 barium-enema examinations performed during a 4-year period. Three patients with rectal perforations manifested by air extravasation were successfully treated with intravenous antibiotics and complete bowel rest. Two patients with barium extravasation were treated with immediate operation and colostomy. All five patients recovered. Perforation was found to be associated with a rectal stricture due to ulcerative colitis, a rectal cancer, an incarcerated inguinal hernia, fulminant ulcerative colitis, and a normal colon in an elderly patient. To determine the pressure in the rectum that could potentially be generated during a barium-enema examination, the pressures created by a standard barium delivery set were measured, using 1-meter columns of water, 25 percent diatrizoate sodium (Hypaque^®), 20 percent barium, and 80 percent barium. The columns generated pressures of 70, 85, 95, and 120 mm Hg respectively. Squeezing the delivery bag increased the pressure 21 to 79 percent or a maximum of 55 mm Hg. Colorectal perforation during barium-enema examination that was not accompanied by barium extravasation could be successfully treated nonoperatively. The associated pathology and our studies of pressures generated during a barium-enema examination allow us to suggest that the incidence of colorectal perforation during barium-enema radiography can be reduced by 1) performing proctoscopy prior to barium enema, 2) avoiding the use of the rectal balloon in patients with known rectal lesions, 3) avoiding barium studies in patients with active colitis, 4) avoiding generation of pressure greater than that created by a column of barium suspension of one meter, and 5) using a lower concentration of barium when possible.     

Survival after colonic perforation during barium-enema examination

Four of five patients survived perforation of the colon incidental to barium-enema examination, while the other survived without sequela of infection until hemiplegia and pneumonia supervened two and 36 days, respectively, postoperatively. It is postulated that adequate intravenous fluids, early operation, with complete cleansing by antibiotic irrigation and mechanical debridement of the abdominal cavity, along with excision of the perforated segment of bowel with establishment of an end colostomy or ileostomy and distal mucous fistula, if possible, are keys to survival in these patients. Triple antibiotics, using ampicillin, gentamicin, and clindamycin, or metronidazole, should be administered in all patients as soon as the diagnosis is made, and continued postoperatively as indicated until there is no evidence of infection. An intraluminal intestinal tube, for stichless plication of the small bowel, may be helpful in some patients. A stomacone should be used for a barium enema through a colostomy stoma. Care should be exercised in performing barium contrast studies in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.     

Synchronous Cancers of the Colon and Rectum: Report of Eight Cases

This study reviews eight patients collected over a period of 3 yr with synchronous primary adenocarcinomas with special emphasis on presentation of illness, diagnosis, location of tumors, and their association with benign polyps. All of the synchronous carcinomas in this study were located in different surgical segments and all associated benign polyps were located in the same surgical segments. Workup included colonoscopy followed by completion of colon examination by barium enema. All patients underwent surgical resection of their tumors. It is therefore concluded that the incidence their tumors. It is therefore concluded that the incidence of synchronous tumors of the large colon is high enough to warrant total colon examination either by colonoscopy or barium enema.     

Fused Epiploic Appendages Simulating Carcinoma of the Left Colon

A 60-year old male with a history of rectal bleeding was operated upon because of the finding of a filling defect on barium enema examination. At operation it was found that the defect was produced by the fusion of two epiploic appendages. Following release of the adhesion the colon regained its normal appearance and postoperative barium enema showed no pathological findings.     

The extent of successful colonoscopy: a second assessment using modern equipment

Records of 200 consecutive and unselected colonoscopies were reviewed to determine both the success in viewing the entire colon and the average extent of colon visualized, using the most modern equipment. Colonoscopy was completed to the cecum or ileum in 82.5% of studies, and an average of 93.8% of the colon was viewed. These data show considerable improvement compared to those previously reported by us. However, the significant number of incomplete colonoscopies still suggests that colonoscopy and barium enema examination must remain complementary for maximum detection of colonic lesions.     

Diagnostic considerations in evaluation of patients presenting with melena and nondiagnostic esophagogastroduodenoscopy

Proper evaluation of patients with melena and nondiagnostic esophagogastroduodenoscopy is comparatively undefined. We sought to determine the percentage of patients with melena and nondiagnostic upper endoscopy and assess the yield of further evaluation. Of 209 patients presenting with melena, 180 underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy as the initial study, which was nondiagnostic in 43 cases (24%). Further evaluation was pursued in 30. A presumed source of melena was found in 11 patients (37%), identified by colonoscopy in seven, bleeding scan in three, and barium enema plus flexible sigmoidoscopy in one. Nearly all such defined cases originated from the right colon. Small bowel contrast studies, flexible sigmoidoscopy or barium enema alone, and angiography failed to reveal a source. Our findings suggest that many (24%) patients presenting with melena will have nondiagnostic upper endoscopy; further evaluation reveals a potential source in 37% of this group, with the right colon being the most likely location of pathology; and colonoscopy is the test of choice in this cohort.     

Prospective comparison of air-contrast barium enema and colonoscopy in patients with fecal occult blood: a pilot study

BACKGROUND: The utility of air-contrast barium enema and colonoscopy for evaluation of the colon has been debated. Air-contrast barium enema is less expensive and invasive than colonoscopy, but it also is less sensitive and specific. Further, although air-contrast barium enema may be less painful than colonoscopy, it often is poorly tolerated by patients. Thus, this study compared the sensitivity and the specificity of air-contrast barium enema and colonoscopy for detection of colonic lesions in patients with fecal occult blood. METHODS: Over a 30-month period, patients with fecal occult blood were recruited. Patients underwent standard air-contrast barium enema, followed by colonoscopy 7 to 14 days later. Colonoscopists were blinded to the results of air-contrast barium enema until the colonoscopy was completed, after which the results were disclosed. If the findings were discrepant, colonoscopy was repeated. RESULTS: A total of 100 patients were evaluated. Nine air-contrast barium enemas were reported to be inadequate, and the cecum was not intubated at colonoscopy in two patients. In the remaining patients, 5 cancers were identified (1 each cecum, transverse colon, descending colon, sigmoid colon, and rectum) by both studies. Sixty-six polypoid lesions were identified in 30 patients. Diverticula were identified in 42 patients by air-contrast barium enema and in 18 patients by colonoscopy. Air-contrast barium enema detected 3 of 36 polypoid lesions 5 mm or less in diameter, 5 of 15 adenomas 6 to 9 mm in size, and 4 of 15 adenomas 10 mm or greater in diameter (sensitivity 8%, 33%, and 27%, respectively). After excluding patients with diverticula, air-contrast barium enema detected 3 of 7 adenomas 10 mm or greater in size. Overall, 12 polypoid lesions or filling defects were identified by air-contrast barium enema that could not be verified by colonoscopy. The specificity of air-contrast barium enema for lesions 1.0 cm or greater in size was 100%; for those 6 mm or greater, it was 97%. CONCLUSIONS: Air-contrast barium enema accurately detects colon cancer and diverticula. Its sensitivity for detection of polypoid lesions or adenomas is poor and was confounded by the presence of diverticula.     

Prospective evaluation of hospitalized patients with nonactive lower intestinal bleeding--timing and role of barium enema and colonoscopy

A prospective evaluation of 176 hospitalized patients with nonactive lower intestinal bleeding demonstrated that a barium enema is not a necessary prerequisite for a sensitive and safe total colonoscopic examination. Colonoscopy was better in detecting colonic polyps and colon cancers than barium enema. It was concluded that colonoscopy without prior barium enema provides a sensitive diagnostic approach to hospitalized patients with nonactive lower intestinal bleeding. This approach does not interfere with the early use of angiography and may shorten hospitalization.     

Diverticulitis of the right colon

Summary Diverticulitis of the right colon is a relatively uncommon disease that usually mimics acute appendicitis. Most patients are operated on early, and a barium enema is not commonly obtained. Five cases with barium studies are presented. In four of the five cases an intramural mass effect and evidence of involvement of the colonic wall were present. Diverticula of the right colon were found in all five patients. If the diagnosis is made without surgery, medical therapy is usually successful.     

CT结肠成像在老年人结直肠癌诊断中的价值

目的 评估CT结肠成像(CT colonography，CTC)在老年人结直肠癌诊断中的价值。方法 对纤维结肠镜和钡灌肠诊断为结直肠癌的患者行CTC检查，评价CTC对老年人结直肠癌的检出情况及患者对它的耐受性。结果 CTC成功检出30例患者的结直肠癌，准确性100％，并且有助于对肿瘤的浸润情况和肠道外转移进行全面评估。患者对CTC的耐受性明显高于纤维结肠镜和钡灌肠检查。30例行CTC和纤维结肠镜检查的患者耐受性分别为83．3％和63．3％。在16例行全部3种检查的患者中，耐受性分别为87．5％，68．8％，56．3％。结论 CTC技术在老年人结直肠癌的诊断中是一种安全有效的方法，并且可以全面的评价全结肠和腹腔内情况。CTC可以与纤维结肠镜互补来诊断结直肠癌，并可作为高龄、高危人群的普查方法。     

Is there a safe interval between diagnostic invasive procedure and the barium enema study of the colorectum?

In an attempt to define the optimal interval of safety when a barium enema study of the colon follows a planned injury of the bowel by local treatment or biopsy (or both), we studied a group of 833 patients who were seen at the Mayo Clinic during 1978. In the study group, 886 polyps were destroyed by fulguration, 258 lesions were both sampled and fulgurated, and 126 areas were sampled for biopsy study. One hundred ninety-four patients had multiple lesions; in 193 of these, 2-18 diminutive polyps were fulgurated. Of the 846 barium studies in the 833 patients, 5 were done on the same day as the planned injury, 543 within 24 hours, and 174 within 72 hours. Four patients demonstrated extravasation of barium, but none had signs or symptoms of acute perforation nor did the resected surgical specimen demonstrate communication with site of injury.     

Toxic megacolon in ulcerative colitis.

During a 10-year period toxic megacolon occurred in 21 patients out of 296 with ulcerative colitis. The majority had a brief history, and half were over 40 years. A barium enema, which presumably may provoke dilatation of the colon, had been performed within the past week in 8 cases. The ulcerative colitis involved the entire colon in 85%, whereas the dilatation affected predominantly the transverse segment. Fourteen patients were on steroid medication when the dilatation developed. Operation was indicated in 20 patients (colectomy with ileostomy and preserved rectum). Six patients died postoperatively, half of pulmonary complications. Only one death occurred among 6 patients with perforation of the colon. Postoperative complications arose in 80%. Both complication rate and mortality were independent of steroid medication. Mortality was lowest among patients treated by a team of internists and surgeons specialized in gastroenterology. This was presumably due to an earlier recognition of the colonic dilatation, intensive medical treatment of severe attacks even before the dilatation had developed, and careful supervision for timing the operation, which should never be delayed in favour of attempts at steroid treatment.     

The Role of Antegrade Barium Studies in the Evaluation of Colitis

The retrograde barium enema is considered to be contraindicated in patients with acute colitis because of the risk of precipitating toxicity. The purpose of this study was to investigate the antegrade evaluation of the colon in such patients. Thirteen patients were examined by antegrade barium study. The right and left colon to the level of the descending colon-sigmoid junction were well seen in all (100%), the sigmoid in 77% and the rectum in 54%. Excellent correlation between the extent of disease seen on antegrade study and retrograde enema, endoscopy, and surgery was achieved. The antegrade study was found to be a safe and effective study in patients with acute colitis.     

Colonic metastasis from primary carcinoma of the lung: report of a case and review of Japanese literature

We report a rare case of colonic metastasis from primary carcinoma of the lung. A 59-year-old man who underwent pulmonary surgery for lung cancer was referred to our hospital in June 2007. The patient complained of abdominal pain, and barium enema examination at another hospital had demonstrated a descending colon tumor. Postoperative histopathological and immunohistochemical findings indicated that the tumor was a colonic metastasis of lung cancer. Three months postoperatively, the cancer had metastasized to the brain, and the patient underwent radiotherapy. He survived for more than 1 year after colonic surgery. Clinically apparent metastases from lung cancer to the colon are rare, and in the 50 Japanese cases retrospectively investigated here, the prognosis was poor.     

A case of colonic varices complicated by alcoholic cirrhosis treated using balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration

A 44-year-old man with cirrhosis arising from alcohol abuse manifested melena caused by the rupture of esophageal varices. He received endoscopic variceal ligation for the initial hemostasis, followed by endoscopic injection sclerotherapy as an additional consolidation therapy. A CT examination performed at the time of admission revealed collateral veins developing around the ascending colon, in which the feeding and draining vessels were identified as the superior mesenteric vein and the right testicular vein, respectively. Moreover, large nodular varices were observed in the ascending colon during a colonoscopy. To prevent the rupture of the colonic varices, balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration (B-RTO) was performed through the right testicular vein using a microballoon catheter. A CT examination performed 4 days after the B-RTO procedure revealed the disappearance of blood flow with thrombosis formation in both the colonic varices and the feeding vein. The varices in the ascending colon had completely disappeared when examined during a colonoscopy performed 4 months after the B-RTO procedure. B-RTO is a useful and minimally invasive procedure for the treatment of colonic varices to prevent bleeding.     

Limitations of Barium Enema Performed as an Adjunct to Incomplete Colonoscopy

PURPOSE Colonoscopy is believed to be inadequate in 4 to 24 percent of procedures. Barium enema often is utilized to complete the examination. In radiology literature, a successful barium enema in this setting requires only that the cecum has been reached. In this study, completion barium enema was assessed for both completeness and quality of proximal visualization. METHODS The charts of 16,216 patients undergoing colonoscopy at Saint Vincent Health Center from July 1995 to July 2003 were reviewed to identify patients who underwent barium enema within six months of an incomplete colonoscopy. Incomplete colonoscopies were audited for history of previous abdominal/pelvic surgery, level of colon attained, and apparent reasons for failure. Corresponding barium enema reports were evaluated in a similar fashion. RESULTS In 485 patients (2.9 percent), colonoscopy was incomplete. One hundred eighteen patients underwent barium enema after incomplete colonoscopy. In these patients, sharp angulation (42 percent) or redundancy/looping (31 percent) most often limited endoscopy. Among the barium enema studies, 91 (77 percent) were technically adequate. Twenty-seven studies were suboptimal (poor preparation/intolerance = 7, redundancy = 6, poor filling = 6, stricture/narrowing = 6, severe diverticulosis = 2). Two patients demonstrated additional polyps. There was no correlation between reasons for endoscopic failure and inadequacy of barium enema. Completeness of barium enema was not affected by previous pelvic surgery. Immediate barium enema was no less complete than a delayed study. CONCLUSIONS The reliability of barium enema after incomplete colonoscopy is less than previously reported. Poster presentation at the meeting of The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, Dallas, Texas, May 8 to 13, 2004. Reprints are not available.