[Emergency colon diagnosis by water-soluble contrast enemas (author's transl)].

When surgery of the colon must be carried out for special indications and emergencies, it is not possible to make diagnosis with Ba SO4 contrast mediums. In these cases, reasonable success can be expected with substitution of three-iodized water-soluble contrast enemas. Through perforations and discharge from the colon they are absorbed into the free peritoneal cavity and enable diagnoses which are nearly comparable in quality to those done with Ba SO4 contrast mediums. In double contrast radiography according to the Malmö technique recognition of surface detail can be considered sufficient. Advantages and disadvantages as well as indications are listed in table form. Examples are documented to complete the chapter on results.