[Is it possible to predict the cleanliness of the colon before double-contrast enema? Study of the image of the abdomen without preparation, and the number of liquid stools].

Correlations between evaluations by two observers of cleanliness of colon on straight abdominal images (ASP) and on barium enema (LDC) results were studied, as well as predictions of cleanliness of LDC by ASP. Correlation between observers was practically nul for ASP and was poor for LDC. There is lack of correlation between cleanliness of colon on ASP and cleanliness of LDC. It is concluded that no purpose is served in performing ASP before LDC in order to predict cleanliness and that the definition of cleanliness itself requires updating. In contrast, however, the presence of less than three liquid stools appears to be related to diminished cleanliness (p less than 0.05).