NIFEDIPINE (PROCARDIA XL) AS A CAUSE OF FALSE-POSITIVE RESULTS ON BARIUM ENEMA STUDY

There are a number of potential causes for false-positive results on a barium enema study. We report three cases in which patients had to ha ve colonoscopy because a nifedipine slow-release tablet (Procardia XL) was misinterpreted as a colonic polyp on a barium enema study. The pi ll did not move with abdominal compression, further suggesting that it was a polyp. Patients in whom similar lesions are identified during b arium enema examination should be questioned as to whether they are ta king these medications.