A double-blind study of radiologic accuracy in diverticulitis, diverticulosis, and carcinoma of the sigmoid colon.

A review of the barium enema studies in 73 patients with diverticular disease of the colon and with and without associated neoplasm leads to the conclusion that the correct radiologic recognition of an associated neoplasm in a colon with diverticulitis or diverticulosis can be made only about half the time. The limitations of the radiographic method and radiologic findings in distinguishing diverticulitis from carcinoma should be more clearly recognized by the clinician.