The radiological diagnosis of polyps in the presence of diverticular disease.

The double contrast barium enemas in 20 patients with endoscopically proven polyps within a segment of diverticular disease have been reviewed. Ninety per cent of the polyps were detected. The increased density sign and negative shadow filling defect proved valuable in their detection. Antispasmodics are advised to distend the sigmoid and allow double contrast views to be obtained. With severe diverticular changes it may be impossible to exclude a polyp, and if the patient complains of rectal bleeding, endoscopy is indicated.