[The x-ray diagnosis of endophytic forms of cancer of the right half of the large intestine].

The status of the internal surface of the bowel wall is the basic diagnostic criterion used at standard X-ray examination of the colon whereas the external surface and structures inside the wall cannot be visualized. This is particularly crucial in cases of endophytic cancer which invades the entire intestinal wall and surrounding tissues leaving the internal contour of the colon unaltered. The authors used diagnostic pneumoperitoneum in combination with contrast (barium + air) examination of the colon. The procedure allows to evaluate the status of the external contour of the wall and certain geometric parameters of a lesion thus facilitating the differential diagnosis of colonic pathology.