Abstract

The diagnostic accuracy of double contrast enema was assessed by colonoscopy of 250 consecutive patients with polypoid lesions that were observed at double contrast enema. The enema method detected 90% of all existing polypoid lesions, and gave false positive results in less than 3.5% Colonoscopy revealed 91% of the lesions. Double contrast enema is suitable as a screening procedure and, when used in combination with colonoscopy, only very few polyps will escape detection. The large number of neoplastic polyps detected in this retrospective series emphasises the necessity for a careful radiographic technique combined with colonoscopy to disclose and treat these potentially malignant lesions of the colon.