title: Optimizing single- and double-contrast colon examinations.
abstract: Recent technical advances have greatly increased the effectiveness of barium enema examinations for detection of common diseases of the colon. As documented in the literature, the double-contrast enema may equal or exceed colonoscopy in detection of colonic neoplasms and, with proper technique, the single-contrast enema may also closely approach these results. This presentation reviews recent technical improvements in the areas of radiographic-fluoroscopic equipment, fluoroscopic images, film-screen combinations, barium suspensions, examination techniques, filming sequences, and quality controls. These are employed to optimize both the double- and single-contrast barium enemas to where their sensitivities are competitive with endoscopy.
authors.forename: D W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Gelfand
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Ott
authors.forename: Y M
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000388:Air; D001466:Barium Sulfate / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003108:Colonic Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003113:Colonoscopy; D004733:Enema / Q000379:methods*; D005471:Fluoroscopy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D011786:Quality Control
chemical_list: D001466:Barium Sulfate