Diverticulitis x ray
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief:
Overview
X Ray
Barium enema
- X-ray barium enema is not the first diagnostic procedure to diagnose acute diverticulitis. However, it may be useful in case the CT scan is not available.[1][2]
- Barium enema was being used in diagnosis of acute diverticulitis but it was not the best procedure to diagnose the disease. Enema has many disadvantages which include:[3]
- Enema rupture
- This rupture may cause cellulitis and peritonitis.
- If failed, it will lead to the delay of the other imaging procedures like CT scan, endoscopy and angiography to be held.
- It may cause acute intestinal obstruction.
- The single contrast technique may be preferred over the double contrast technique in the following cases:
- The patient is unable to turn quickly/effectively
- Double contrast technique requires rapid changes in patient position
- When only the position and length of a stricture is required
- Evaluation for acute diverticulitis when the CT is unavailable for whatever reason)
- Evaluating for a colonic fistula
- Evaluation for postoperative leak after colon surgery
- Contraindications of the barium enema include the following:[4]
- Patients with pnemoperitoneum shown in the chest X ray.
- Patients who did a recent deep rectal biopsy.
Abdominal X ray
Chest X ray
- In small percentage (about 27-33%) of the acute abdomen patients, including diverticulitis, they may have a respiratory abnormality. Hence, chest x ray is recommended in patients suspected with diverticulitis.
- Chest X ray in cases of diverticulitis could show pneumoperitoneum which is a complication of the abdominal obstruction that is one of the diverticulitis manifestation. Discovering this abnormality will lead to change of the case manangement and the chest X ray is the best radio-modality which can show the pneumoperitoneum.[6]
References
- ↑ Rafferty J, Shellito P, Hyman NH, Buie WD, Standards Committee of American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons (2006). "Practice parameters for sigmoid diverticulitis". Dis Colon Rectum. 49 (7): 939–44. doi:10.1007/s10350-006-0578-2. PMID 16741596.
- ↑ Doris PE, Strauss RW (1985). "The expanded role of the barium enema in the evaluation of patients presenting with acute abdominal pain". J Emerg Med. 3 (2): 93–100. PMID 4093571.
- ↑ Gottesman L, Zevon SJ, Brabbee GW, Dailey T, Wichern WA (1984). "The use of water-soluble contrast enemas in the diagnosis of acute lower left quadrant peritonitis". Dis Colon Rectum. 27 (2): 84–8. PMID 6697835.
- ↑ Harned RK, Consigny PM, Cooper NB, Williams SM, Woltjen AJ (1982). "Barium enema examination following biopsy of the rectum or colon". Radiology. 145 (1): 11–6. doi:10.1148/radiology.145.1.7122864. PMID 7122864.
- ↑ McKee RF, Deignan RW, Krukowski ZH (1993). "Radiological investigation in acute diverticulitis". Br J Surg. 80 (5): 560–5. PMID 8518890.
- ↑ Field S, Guy PJ, Upsdell SM, Scourfield AE (1985). "The erect abdominal radiograph in the acute abdomen: should its routine use be abandoned?". Br Med J (Clin Res Ed). 290 (6486): 1934–6. PMC 1416036. PMID 3924315.