title: The significance of widening of the presacral space at contrast radiography in inflammatory bowel disease.
abstract: The width of the presacral space was measured prospectively at various levels in 100 persons without organic colonic or rectal disease who had barium enema X-ray examinations. A standard technique was employed. The most consistent measurement was obtained at the level opposite the S3-S4 disc space; readings varied between 2 mm and 16 mm. Using 16 mm as the upper limit of normal, and a similar technique of barium enema examination, the width of the presacral space at the S3-S4 disc level was measured in 66 patients with inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis--49; Crohn's colitis--17). The width did not correlate with the severity of the disease process as indicated by sigmoidoscopic examination in proximity in time to the radiological examination. There was a relationship between increased width of the presacral space and the duration of the disease process.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000886:Anthropometry; D001466:Barium Sulfate; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D004733:Enema; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D012445:Sacrococcygeal Region / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*
chemical_list: D001466:Barium Sulfate