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Results
By Mayo Clinic staffYour doctor will review the results of the barium enema and then share the results with you.
- Negative result. A barium enema exam is considered negative if the radiologist detects no abnormalities in the colon. If you had the barium enema to screen for colon cancer and you're at average risk — you have no colon cancer risk factors other than age — your doctor may recommend waiting five years and then repeating the exam.
- Positive result. A barium enema exam is considered positive if the radiologist detects abnormalities in the colon. Depending on the findings, you may need additional testing — such as a colonoscopy — so that any abnormalities can be examined more thoroughly, biopsied or removed.
If your doctor is concerned about the quality of your X-ray images, he or she may recommend a repeat barium enema or another screening test.
References
- Barium enema examination. American Society of Radiologic Technologists. Accessed March 11, 2009.
- Lower gastrointestinal (GI) tract X-ray (radiography). Radiological Society of North America. http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=lowergi. Accessed March 11, 2009.
- American Cancer Society guidelines for the early detection of cancer. American Cancer Society. Accessed March 11, 2009.
- Levin B, et al. Screening and surveillance for the early detection of colorectal cancer and adenomatous polyps, 2008: A joint guideline from the American Cancer Society, the US Multi-Society Task Force on Colorectal Cancer, and the American College of Radiology. Gastroenterology. 2008;134:1570.
- Colon x-ray: Defecography (DEF); barium enema; air contrast study (evacuative portography). In: Fischbach FT, ed. Manual of Laboratory & Diagnostic Tests. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2004:732.
- Schilling McCann JA, ed. Diagnostic Tests. Philadelphia, Pa.: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2007.
