[Value of colon sonography within the scope of surgical diagnosis]

The sensitivity, specificity, and predictable potential of colon sonography were determined by comparison between sonographic, colonoscopic, radiological, and surgically secured findings. Also compared were sonographic colon findings obtained from unprepared patients (n = 74) with those obtained from patients prepared by means of orthograde mannitol irrigations (n = 53). No major differences were found to exist between both groups. Indications for colon sonography in the context of surgical diagnosis are outlines on the basis of the above results.