The value of the barium enema in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis

A. E. Rajagopalan, J. H. Mason, M. Kennedy and J. Pawlikowski

Contrary to popular belief, the barium enema is a safe diagnostic tool in the management of acute appendicitis. This is a survey of our experience over three years with 489 cases of suspected acute appendicitis. Two hundred eighteen barium enema examinations were done. The barium enema has a high degree of pathological correlation (97.14%). It has reduced negative surgical exploration in women between 11 and 40 years of age. This group traditionally represents the greatest diagnostic challenge in appendicitis. As a result, our negative exploration rate has been reduced to a figure below the average for this disease. We recommend its performance in all patients who pose a diagnostic dilemma.