Prospective evaluation of hospitalized patients with nonactive lower intestinal bleeding--timing and role of barium enema and colonoscopy.

A prospective evaluation of 176 hospitalized patients with nonactive lower intestinal bleeding demonstrated that a barium enema is not a necessary prerequisite for a sensitive and safe total colonoscopic examination. Colonoscopy was better in detecting colonic polyps and colon cancers than barium enema. It was concluded that colonoscopy without prior barium enema provides a sensitive diagnostic approach to hospitalized patients with nonactive lower intestinal bleeding. This approach does not interfere with the early use of angiography and may shorten hospitalization.