Radiographic findings in overlooked colon carcinomas. A retrospective analysis.

Double contrast barium enemas in 21 patients with primarily overlooked colon carcinomas were reviewed. The carcinomas were flat and measured less than 30 mm in 18 cases. These tumours constitute almost 1.4 per cent of the carcinomas diagnosed during a 12-year period. The retrospective analysis revealed the following signs of carcinoma: missing haustral folds, disharmony of interhaustral fold patterns; radiolucent filling defects; local contractions; residue-like masses and decrease of volume. In all cases, at least two secondary signs of carcinoma, range 1.7 to 3, were seen.