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[X-ray of small bowel with a probe--indications and diagnostic yield in a 10-year material]
K V Husnes1, O Kildahl-Andersen, R Kildahl-Andersen
1Medisinsk avdeling, Harstad sykehus 9480 Harstad. okildahl@start.no
Background:
We wanted to evaluate the indications for ordering small bowel enema, and whether specific clinical symptoms and signs are associated with the diagnostic yield.
Material And Methods:
Medical charts and requisition slips for 241 patients examined with small bowel enema at Harstad Hospital from 1986 to 1995 were reviewed.
Results:
The most common symptom leading to small bowel radiography was pain, registered in almost three fourths of the patients; about one half reported diarrhoea. Elevated sedimentation rate and occult blood in the faeces were reported in one fourth of the patients. For a large proportion of the patients, there was no information about adequate preliminary tests in the medical charts. Normal radiography was reported in three fourths of the patients. Lesions consistent with Crohn's disease were found in one of eight patients. No symptoms or signs, except for elevated sedimentation rate, clearly indicate a positive diagnostic finding. Many requisition slips did not contain available information.
Interpretation:
Small bowel radiography is performed on wide indications. It is difficult to make a careful selection of patients based on reported symptoms and signs. However, some preliminary tests are helpful and should be done.