A combined flexible sigmoidoscopy and double-contrast barium enema service: initial experience

A service has been instituted offering a combined single-stage procedure of flexible sigmoidoscopy and double-contrast barium enema (FS/DCBE). The results have been reviewed in the first 80 patients to undergo this examination (45 male: 35 female; mean age 61.4 years).

Indications for investigation were abdominal pain or suspected diverticular disease (22 patients), altered bowel habit (19), rectal bleeding (17), iron deficiency anemia (6), and miscellaneous (16). FS was followed immediately by DCBE. Radiographs were reviewed by two radiologists unaware of the FS findings.

The extent of FS was to the proximal sigmoid or sigmoid descending colon or splenic flexure in 12.5%, and mid or distal sigmoid in 37.5%. Biopsies were performed at FS in 26 patients (33%). In 67 (84%) of DCBEs the barium coating was assessed as satisfactory or better. FS yielded pathological findings not seen at DCBE in 21 patients (26%). DCBE demonstrated additional abnormalities within the range of the FS examination in 15 patients (19%), almost entirely due to its increased sensitivity for diverticular disease.

FS/DCBE is feasible as a one-stage combined procedure. The quality of DCBE following FS is satisfactory, and the extra yield of FS and its potential for biopsy make the combined FS/DCBE a useful technique in the investigation of large bowel disease.