PROSPECTIVE EVALUATION OF COLON DOUBLE-CO NTRAST ENEMAS IN PATIENTS WITH INCOMPLETE COLONSCOPY DIAGNOSTIC

Purpose: Prospective evaluation of colon double-contrast enemas in pat ients with incomplete colonoscopy during routine examination. Material s and methods: From 1.February 1993 through 31.January 1994 we prospec tively evaluated all patients undergoing a double-contrast barium enem a following incomplete colonoscopy in the endoscopy unit of the Depart ment of Surgery of the University Hospital Marburg. The examination wa s carried out using the typical double-contrast technique at least 24 h after colonoscopy. The results of the barium enema were correlated w ith the findings at colonoscopy with regard to completion of the diagn ostic procedure and additional pathological findings. Results: Of 448 colonoscopies 168 remained incomplete. Sixty patients underwent an add itional double-contrast study of the colon. In 43 patients this study was sufficient to complete the diagnostic procedure. Unknown pathologi cal diagnoses were found in 11 patients. In 2 patients an adenocarcino ma and in 9 patients polypoid lesions were detected. Conclusion: After incomplete colonoscopy a double-contrast barium enema should be perfo rmed to complete the diagnostic examination of the whole colon and to reveal unknown additional pathological findings.