barium studies
Last reviewed 01/2018
Barium enema in ulcerative colitis confirms the diagnosis, the extent and severity of the disease; the procedure is contraindicated in those patients at risk of a toxic dilatation. Features of a barium study include:
- loss of haustration
- narrow, straight, inelastic colon
- may be 'spicules' due to tiny ulcer craters
- 'pseudopolyps' may be shown as filling defects
Note that abnormalities are generally continuous, i.e. there are no 'skip' lesions that are characteristic of Crohn's disease, and confined to the large bowel.