1. Diverticular disease: imaging with post-double-contrast sigmoid flush
- Author
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Dean D.T. Maglinte, John C. Lappas, E. M. Cockerill, Kenyon K. Kopecky, and Glen A. Lehman
- Subjects
medicine.medical_specialty ,Radiography ,medicine.medical_treatment ,chemistry.chemical_element ,Enema ,Diverticulum, Colon ,digestive system ,Colon, Sigmoid ,Methods ,medicine ,Humans ,Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and imaging ,Prospective Studies ,Prospective cohort study ,Barium enema ,Sigmoid Diseases ,business.industry ,digestive, oral, and skin physiology ,Water ,Sigmoid colon ,Barium ,Sigmoid function ,digestive system diseases ,medicine.anatomical_structure ,chemistry ,Diverticular disease ,Radiology ,Barium Sulfate ,business - Abstract
In a prospective study, the effect of infusion of a low-density contrast material was evaluated as an adjunct to high-density, double-contrast imaging of the sigmoid colon. After double-contrast barium enema (DCBE) study, 52 consecutive patients with sigmoid diverticulosis received an additional 500-750-mL enema either with water or a 1.5% barium suspension for computed tomography. Rectosigmoid radiographs were evaluated for luminal distention, visualization of the interhaustral space, definition of diverticula, and interpretation of polypoid defects. While double-contrast views were excellent in 21% of patients, improvement in multiple factors by water or 1.5% barium flush resulted in improved sigmoid images in 65% and 75% of patients, respectively. Polyps were confirmed and artifactual defects confidently excluded. Sigmoid flush, particularly with low-density barium, is a simple adjunct to DCBE study that improves visualization of the diverticular sigmoid and increases interpretive confidence.
- Published
- 1988
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