Sensitivity of double-contrast barium enema: emphasis on polyp detection

Colonoscopically verified lesions (230 in 178 patients) were reviewed and compared to results of double-contrast barium enema studies performed by radiologists specifically interested in gastrointestinal disease. Eighteen carcinomas and 22 cases of colitis found endoscopically were accurately identified radiographically. In 140 patients with 190 polyps, 16 lesions were missed radiologically, a false-negative error for polyps of 8.4%. All undetected polyps were distal to the splenic flexure with the majority located in the sigmoid colon. Thus, the double-contrast barium enema study was quite effective in finding colon polyps, particularly proximal to the splenic flexure.