Double-contrast enema in pelvic endometriosis

Abstract

The radiographic findings on barium enema in 42 patients with endometriosis were reviewed and correlated with those at surgical and laparoscopic examination. Radiographic abnormalities were detected in 27 patients. In nine patients, purely extrinsic mass effect was identified; bowel wall involvement in these patients was not present at laparoscopy. In 16 of 18 patients subsequently shown to have bowel wall involvement, mass effect with fine mucosal crenulation was identified. Annular or polypoid involvement was also noted. Mass effect with crenulation, although not entirely specific, appears to be a characteristic finding in patients with bowel wall involvement due to endometriosis.