The small bowel enema: a ten year review

In a retrospective study the radiological reports of small bowel enema (enteroclysis) examinations of 1465 patients were reviewed and compared with the subsequent clinical outcome, and where possible with findings at laparotomy. A sensitivity of 93.1% and a specificity of 96.9% was found, based on whether the small intestine was reported as normal or an abnormality was diagnosed to account for the patient's clinical presentation. The correct specific diagnosis was made in 67.5% of the examinations that were considered abnormal. We believe that these figures support the use of small bowel enema as the routine barium examination for suspected disorders of the small intestine.