Detection of Unsuspected Colonic Abnormalities Using the Pneumocolon Technique During Small Bowel Meal Examination

AIMS: The pneumocolon technique in small bowel meal examination is used to obtain double-contrast views of the distal ileum. The purpose of this study was to determine the proportion of cases in which an overhead pneumocolon radiograph demonstrated clinically relevant findings in the colon. METHODS:...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Clinical radiology 2000-06, Vol.55 (6), p.459-464
Main Authors: CHOU, S, SKEHAN, S.J, BROWN, A.L, RAWLINSON, J, SOMERS, S
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Air
Barium Sulfate
Biological and medical sciences
Child
Child, Preschool
Colonic Diseases - diagnostic imaging
Contrast Media
Digestive system
False Positive Reactions
Female
Humans
Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects)
Male
Medical sciences
Middle Aged
Pneumoradiography - methods
Radiodiagnosis. Nmr imagery. Nmr spectrometry
Retrospective Studies
small bowel meal, pneumocolon, colon
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Summary:AIMS: The pneumocolon technique in small bowel meal examination is used to obtain double-contrast views of the distal ileum. The purpose of this study was to determine the proportion of cases in which an overhead pneumocolon radiograph demonstrated clinically relevant findings in the colon. METHODS: The overhead pneumocolon radiographs in 151 patients who underwent small bowel meals were evaluated retrospectively. A chart review was performed on those patients with positive colonic findings to determine if the suspected abnormalities affected patient management. RESULTS: Colonic abnormalities were identified in 34 of the 151 patients. One patient had a previously undiagnosed ascending colonic cancer; 17 had evidence of acute or chronic colitis; 13 had diverticulosis; one had a caecal polyp; one had an ileosigmoid fistula; one had a filling defect in the ascending colon. In 25 cases the colonic abnormality was visible only on the pneumocolon radiograph and not on the preceding single-contrast images. Management was altered by the colonic findings in seven cases. False-positive findings occurred in two cases. CONCLUSIONS: A routine overhead radiograph following use of the pneumocolon technique is a useful adjunct to small bowel meal examination as it can yield unsuspected and clinically significant colonic findings.Chou, S. (2000). Clinical Radiology55, 459–464.
ISSN:0009-9260
1365-229X
DOI:10.1053/crad.2000.0475