title: The value of the barium enema in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis.
abstract: Contrary to popular belief, the barium enema is a safe diagnostic tool in the management of acute appendicitis. This is a survey of our experience over three years with 489 cases of suspected acute appendicitis. Two hundred eighteen barium enema examinations were done. The barium enema has a high degree of pathological correlation (97.14%). It has reduced negative surgical exploration in women between 11 and 40 years of age. This group traditionally represents the greatest diagnostic challenge in appendicitis. As a result, our  negative  exploration rate has been reduced to a figure below the average for this disease. We recommend its performance in all patients who pose a diagnostic dilemma.
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001064:Appendicitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D001466:Barium Sulfate; D002648:Child; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004733:Enema; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography
chemical_list: D001466:Barium Sulfate