Colorectal carcinoma: a comparative study between barium enema and colonoscopy with histopathologic correlation

ABSTRACT

Tumors of the colon and rectum are among the commonest of all gastrointestinal malignancies. It is a potentially curable disease, highly dependant on early diagnosis. The two most widely used diagnostic tools are the double contrast barium enema and colonoscopy. This study compares their diagnostic value in correlation with histopathology. This prospective study was conducted at Radiology Department, CMH Bahawalpur from September 2008 to September 2010. Total of 49 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Patients of both sex and different age groups were included in the study. They underwent barium enema examination by the radiologist at Combined Military Hospital, Bahawalpur. In each of these patients colonoscopy was carried out after 02 weeks of barium enema by standard methods after proper preparation. Biopsies of all positive and suspicious lesions were obtained during colonoscopy. Histopathology was carried out at the laboratory. The findings were recorded and analyzed on SPSS 10.0. Of the 49 patients, 33 [67%] were males and 16 [32.65%] were females. The mean age of the study group was 53.5 Yrs [Range 25-82 yrs]. Histopathology revealed that out of 49 patients 46[93%] had colorectal carcinoma. Barium enema correctly diagnosed neoplastic lesions in 38 [77.55%] patients, whereas colonoscopy diagnosed correctly in 32 [65.30%] patients. Barium enema and Colonoscopy are complementary examinations with almost comparable sensitivity. Barium enema is safer, cost effective and more tolerated by the patients than colonoscopy therefore it should be preferred for initial evaluation of the colorectal carcinoma in our setup