Comparison of Barium Enema and Colonoscopy in the Detection of Small Colonic Polyps

A total of 210 patients was examined by barium enema and colonoscopy. The authors found 219 polyps in 112 patients. Single-contrast barium enema missed 33 (45.2%) and double-contrast barium enema missed 17 (11.7%) polyps. Colonoscopy failed to detect 6 polyps (2.7%) and another 21 (10%) were not seen because the area could not be reached by the colonoscope. Malignancy was present in 5 small polyps. The authors conclude that the double-contrast barium enema offers a definite advantage in the right colon. In general, the two methods are complementary.