Predictive value of a diagnosis of colonic polyp on the double-contrast barium enema

Abstract

The positive predictive value of a diagnosis of colonic polyp on the double-contrast barium enema was determined by analyzing 160 polypoid lesions reported in 105 patients. Of the 160 polyps, 139 were confirmed by endoscopy, surgery, or repeat barium enema for a positive predictive value of 87%. Twenty-one lesions were not confirmed despite repeat endoscopy, repeat barium enema, review of the original study, or surgery, giving a false positive rate of 13%. The individual false positive error rates of 5 radiologists ranged from 8% to 26%. False positive errors were due to stool, diverticula, air bubbles, misinterpretation of the ileocecal valve, and haustration. Many of the false positive errors appeared to have been avoidable if the original examination had been more meticulously interpreted.

Positive predictive value and posttest probability of diagnosis of colonic polyp on single- and double-contrast barium enema

“…we had an 87% positive predictive value for the diagnosis of colonic polyp [1]. In the present study, the positive predictive values for both types of barium enema examination were compared, the causes of error analyzed, and posttest prob- abilities calculated.…”

“…In an earlier study, we determined the positive predictive value of a diagnosis of colonic polyp on the double-contrast barium enema [1 ]. However, the positive predictive value of the single-contrast barium enema was not investigated, despite the fact that about two thirds of barium enemas done in this country are single-contrast examinations [2].…”

The Cleansing Enema

“…Poor mucosal coating accounts for a large proportion of the falsenegative DeE examinations (7), and faecal residue causes most of the false-positive polypoid lesions in DCE (12,16). The technical quality of the DCE is greatly dependent on the success of bowel preparation prior to the examination.…”

The Cleansing Enema

“…Poor mucosal coating accounts for a large proportion of the falsenegative DCE examinations (7), and faecal residue causes most of the false-positive polypoid lesions in DCE (12,16). The technical quality of the DCE is greatly dependent on the success of bowel preparation prior to the examination.…”