Role Of Barium Enema Research Articles

Barium Enema in Hirschsprung’s Disease : Correlation of Clinical Outcome

The anticipated level of aganglionosis can influence the surgical planning in Hirschsprung's disease (HD). The aim of this study was to find out the role of barium enema in diagnosis of HD. Barium enema is usually performed in patients referred for investigation for constipation. This prospective study was performed in the department of pediatric surgery Chittagong Medical College & Hospital. During this period a total of 198 patients were clinically diagnosed as HD. All patients were initially evaluated by plain x- ray abdomen in erect posture. Among 198 patients, 43 patients had perforation in plain x- ray and 31 were clinically unstable at presentation. Those 74 patients were excluded from the study. Rest 124 participating patients were divided into three groups: Neonate, Infant and children according to their age. Male to female ratio was 2.44: I. Barium enema X- ray early film, 24 hours delayed film (Antero-posterior and lateral view) were done for every patient. Length of radiological narrow zone (RNZ), radiological Transitional zone (RTZ) and Recto-sigmoid index (RSI) was measured in cm. Photo of X- ray was taken for every patient. RIZ was demonstrated in 74 (60%) patients. RNZ was demonstrated in 94 (75%) studied population. RSI was measured in 65 (52.42%) subjects. Retention of barium more than 24 hours was found in 95 (75%) patients. Redundant sigmoid colon was found in 54 (43.5%) patients. Right-sided sigmoid colon was present in 46(30.6%) patients. Saw-toothed appearance in spastic colon was seen in 38 (30.6%) patients. Mucosal edema and irregularities were present in 25 (20.2%) patients. Rounded transverse colon was seen in 6 children. Barium mixed with stool was found in 32 (25.8%) patients. Mosaic pattern of colon was present in 10 patients. Visualization of RTZ is a reliable sign ofH13. Besides the RIZ BE in HD has various other radiological features.

Outcome of barium enema in patients with colorectal symptoms

For many years, double contrast barium enema has been an effective way to evaluate the large bowel. With the development of the colonoscope, the role of barium enema has been questioned. However it is still useful in investigating patients with colorectal symptoms especially in the developing world where colonoscopy is widely unavailable and fraught with challenges in completely evaluating the colon. This study aimed at reviewing double contrast barium enema investigations in our centre. This was a retrospective study on patients who underwent double contrast barium enema at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital from May 2003 to April 2007 on account of symptoms referable to the large bowel. A total of 362 investigation reports were studied, of which 205 were for males and 154 for females, the mean age of the patients was 55.3 years (S.D 15.3 years). Majority of the investigations, 228 (61.96%), were normal. Diverticular disease diagnosed in 88 (23.91%) cases was the commonest finding, followed by neoplasm 27 (7.34%) cases and Ulcerative colitis 6 (1.63%) cases, non-specific narrowing of the bowel in 4 (1.09%) and in 5 (1.36%) cases their investigations were inconclusive due to poor bowel preparation. Rectal bleeding was the most frequent symptom prompting barium enema studies. Double contrast barium enema study of the large bowel is an important evaluation of patients with colorectal symptoms. .

Colorectal carcinoma screening: Clinical considerations and the role of Barium Enema

Colorectal carcinoma screening: Clinical considerations and the role of Barium Enema

What is the role of barium enema in the patient with suspected appendicitis?

What is the role of barium enema in the patient with suspected appendicitis?

Limited role of barium enema examination preceding colostomy closure in trauma patients.

Whether trauma patients should undergo barium enema (BE) examination of the colon prior to colostomy closure has recently been questioned. To ascertain the utility of BE and its impact on postoperative course in this patient population, we reviewed 86 trauma patients who underwent colostomy closure during a 12-year period at our institution. There were 82 males and four females with an average age of 28 years. Ninety-five percent of the injuries were the result of penetrating trauma. Sixteen patients had rectal injuries. Fifteen of these had BE greater than 6 weeks post-trauma and all showed healing of the injury. Of the 70 patients with colonic injuries, 43 (group 1) had BE prior to colostomy closure. Ninety-eight percent (n = 42) of these studies were negative. The only positive finding did not affect the planned surgical procedure. Group 2 (n = 27) did not have a BE prior to colostomy closure. Overall complication rates were not significantly different between group 1 (18.6%) and group 2 (29.6%). We conclude that BE prior to colostomy closure for colonic injuries yields little useful information and does not affect the morbidity rate prior to colostomy closure. Its routine usage should be abandoned. The role of barium enema in assessing rectal injury status is less clear because of the small number in our series, but probably offers no advantage over proctoscopy.

The role of barium enema in detecting colorectal disease. A radiologist's perspective.

The single-contrast barium enema examination remains useful for patients with acute diseases such as bowel obstruction, diverticulitis, appendicitis, and fistulas. It is also the procedure of choice for those patients who are too elderly, debilitated, or ill to cooperate with the maneuvers necessary for a double-contrast examination. The double-contrast technique is more sensitive than the single-contrast technique for detection of polyps, early inflammatory bowel disease, and lesions of the rectum. In the older population, there has been an increase in the incidence of colonic polyps and carcinomas in the right side of the colon. This emphasizes the need to examine the entire colon in these patients. The double-contrast barium enema is a safe, accurate, and cost-effective tool for accomplishing this. It is also recommended as the initial procedure in the examination of patients with positive results on fecal occult blood testing.

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.