The place of contrast enema in the management of large bowel obstruction
Koruth, N.M.; Koruth, A.; Matheson, N.A.
Journal of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh 30(4): 258-260
1985
ISSN/ISBN: 0035-8835 PMID: 4057146 Document Number: 265118
The diagnosis of acute large bowel obstruction when based on clinical and plain X-ray features may be unreliable. A retrospective analysis is presented of 91 patients who had an emergency contrast enema for clarification of apparent large bowel obstruction. Of 79 patients with suspected mechanical obstruction the diagnosis was confirmed in 50 (63.2%) but refuted in 29 (36.7%). Of 12 patients thought to have colonic pseudoobstruction, the contrast enema revealed a carcinoma in 2. Sigmoidoscopy and contrast enema should be routine in patients with suspected colonic obstruction.