Compensation filtration for decubitus radiography during double-contrast barium enema examinations

Lateral decubitus images obtained during double-contrast barium enema examinations may be difficult to interpret because of the large difference in density between the various parts of the radiographs. Several types of filters are described which can be used to rectify this problem, thus improving the quality of the decubitus radiographs and achieving a slight reduction in radiation exposure.     

Internal hemorrhoids: diagnosis with double-contrast barium enema examinations

The authors retrospectively studied 43 patients suspected of having internal hemorrhoids at double-contrast barium enema examination. At endoscopy, 24 patients (56%) had internal hemorrhoids, four (9%) had other pathologic lesions in the rectum without evidence of hemorrhoids, and 15 (35%) had no reported abnormalities in the rectum. Internal hemorrhoids were found at endoscopy in 10 of 20 patients (50%) with lobulated folds extending 3 cm or less from the anorectal junction and 10 of 13 patients (77%) with multiple submucosal nodules. However, no patients with these characteristic radiographic findings were found to have other pathologic lesions in the rectum that had been mistaken for hemorrhoids at barium enema examination. Conversely, three of four patients with lobulated folds extending more than 3 cm from the anorectal junction and one of six patients with solitary nodules had proctitis or rectal neoplasms. Thus, specific criteria are suggested for the diagnosis of internal hemorrhoids on double-contrast barium enema examinations. Suspected hemorrhoids that do not fulfill these criteria should be evaluated endoscopically to rule out other more serious pathologic lesions in the rectum.     

Effect of glucagon on the diagnostic accuracy of double-contrast barium enema examinations

The effect of glucagon-induced hypotonicity on the diagnostic accuracy of double-contrast barium enema examinations was determined in 133 consecutive patients in a double-blind crossover study. All patients underwent colonoscopy and served as their own controls by undergoing a double-contrast study after intravenous injection of 1 mg of glucagon and another after intravenous injection of 1 ml of saline placebo, in randomized order. The frequencies of good/excellent hypotonicity and quality of examinations after first doses of glucagon (55.3% and 80.8%) were not significantly different from the frequencies of good/excellent results after first doses of saline (51.3% and 86.5%). The sensitivity was 72.6% after glucagon and 64.5% after placebo; the specificity was 88.7% after glucagon and 77.9% after placebo; and the respective accuracies were 81.2% and 71.9%. These percentages should be used only to compare results with and without glucagon and, by study design, do not represent results of a complete double-contrast study. The variation among these percentages was not statistically significant, but diverticulitis was more accurately diagnosed after glucagon. It was concluded that glucagon does not significantly improve the sensitivity and specificity of the double-contrast barium enema examination and should be used only in selected instances.     

Bacteremia during double-contrast barium enema examination

Forty-five patients undergoing double-contrast barium enema examinations were studied to identify the incidence of transient bacteremia associated with the examination. Blood cultures were obtained immediately prior to the examination and at 5, 10, and 20 minutes after the start of the examination. Blood samples were cultured in both aerobic and anaerobic media, and four of these cultures were positive for organisms that are common skin contaminants. No bacteremia was identified from enteric pathogens. The data herein suggest that patients with cardiac valvular disease are not at greater risk of bacteremia during double-contrast barium enema examinations.     

Postendoscopy barium enema examinations

A study was designed to evaluate whether sigmoidoscopy performed on the same day as barium enema examination interferes with quality or interpretation of the barium study. The study included 295 patients who had either single- or double-contrast barium enema examinations subsequent to sigmoidoscopy performed either on a prior day or the same day. Luminal air, spasm, colonic fluid, and mucosal coating were assessed, as was the resultant diagnostic quality of each barium examination. The results suggest that rigid or fiberoptic sigmoidoscopy can be performed the same day as single- or double-contrast barium enema examinations without adversely affecting the quality or interpretation of the barium study.     

Feasibility of double-contrast barium enema in the elderly

In order to evaluate the feasibility of performing double-contrast barium enemas in the elderly, a consecutive series of 310 patients above 60 years of age referred for barium enema examinations was analyzed relative to the rate of successful studies. There was an overall success rate of 94.8%. There was a 99% success rate in patients in the seventh decade, 94.9% in the eighth decade, and a 90% success rate in patients 80 years and over. A conclusion is reached that the double-contrast barium enema examination is feasible in the elderly.     

Assessment of patient exposure for barium enema examinations

Methods are described for the assessment of patient exposure during clinical fluoroscopic procedures. Values of the roentgen-area-product (RAP) and their distribution throughout the examination are presented for both single-contrast and double-contrast barium enema studies. The double-contrast procedure was measured to give 50% more radiation to the patient than the single-contrast procedure when the same size optical aperture is used between the intensifier and TV pick-up tube. However, it was possible to decrease the fluoroscopic RAP value by over a factor of two for the double-contrast procedure without an adverse clinical effect by increasing the area of the aperture diaphragm.     

改良鼻空肠导管在空气稀钡造影中的应用

目的:探索一种便捷、安全、方便的鼻空肠导管及插管方法,并应用于空气稀钡造影.方法:将改良后的鼻空肠导管先端塑成盘状侧翼,在临床上用于空肠空气稀钡造影检查,分析总结应用效果.结果:共用于59例,其中经盲插法在4～6 h内到空肠53例,成功率89.93%.失败6例,透视发现导管在胃内打圈.该6例经胃镜辅助置管十二指肠,置管时间4～6 h,在第6 h透视空肠管均达空肠.59例在完成置管后行空气稀钡造影检查,除开始时有恶心、呕吐、咽喉不适外,无一例出现并发症,亦无空肠管自行从空肠滑出现象.结论:改良鼻空肠导管价廉、简捷、安全、有效,有临床推广价值.     

Diagnosis of colorectal neoplasms at double-contrast barium enema examination

The double-contrast barium enema examination has been recognized as an option for colorectal cancer screening in Americans with average risk who are greater than 50 years of age. The purpose of this article is to review the principles for diagnosing colorectal neoplasms on double-contrast images and the spectrum of findings associated with these lesions. Colonic polyps can be sessile or pedunculated; their appearance depends on whether they are located on the dependent or nondependent wall of the bowel. Villous tumors may be flat, lobulated lesions, also known as "carpet" lesions, that are characterized by a finely nodular or reticular surface pattern, without a discrete mass. Colonic carcinomas may manifest as plaquelike, polypoid, semiannular ("saddle") or annular lesions. Colonic neoplasms sometimes are more difficult to detect in the region of the ileocecal valve or the distal rectum or in patients with severe diverticulosis. Careful double-contrast technique and meticulous scrutiny of the images therefore are required to optimize detection of these lesions.     

Determining the minimal interval between cleansing water enema and double-contrast barium enema examination

In a prospective study 59 consecutive outpatients having double-contrast barium enemas (DCBE) were randomised into four groups. Each group had their enema performed at either a 15, 30, 45 or 60 minute interval following the end of a 1.5 litre cleansing water enema. Review of the films by two radiologists demonstrated that adequate mucosal coating was obtained after 45 minutes. The DCBE should therefore be performed at a minimum time interval of 45 minutes following colonic lavage, and not beforehand.