[Radiological double contrast examination in Crohn's colitis. A report about 115 cases (author's transl)]

The authors had examined by double contrast barium enema in 115 cases of Crohn's ileo-colitis. They described the radiological double contrast features. The "early lesions" are always surrounded by a healthy-looking mucosa. The advanced lesions are segmentary: shallow limited ulcers, shallow confluent ulcers, cobblestone pattern and nodular pattern. Several types of lesions may appear in the same patient. The distribution of the lesions is asymmetrical with skip areas and gradual size of the lesions. The parietal lesions are well demonstrated by double contrast, especially the sacculations. Our radiological findings are confirmed by endoscopical features and excised specimens in 100 cases. A double contrast barium enema is necessary to well described the lesions especially the "early lesions" which are important for differential diagnostic, with ulcerative colitis, for surgical treatment in evaluating the extend of the disease and possibly even for prognosis in this disease.