Clinical accuracy in the diagnosis of small polyps using the flexible fiberoptic sigmoidoscope.

Seventy-eight patients referred to a specialist clinic for investigation of large-bowel symptoms were examined with the flexible fiberoptic sigmoidoscope. One hundred twenty polyps were treated, including 84 adenomatous and 32 hyperplastic polyps. Sixty-nine per cent of polyps were situated beyond 18 cm from the anal verge. Endoscopic diagnosis was correct in 82 per cent of cases. The size of the polyp assessed endoscopically strongly influenced the clinical diagnosis but proved unreliable as a means of making an accurate diagnosis. Results indicate that whenever possible all polyps of all sizes should be removed for microscopic examination.