The contrast enema for Hirschsprung disease: predictors of a false-positive result.

Purpose: To examine predictors of a false-positive (FP) result on contrast enema (CE) for the diagnosis of Hirschsprung disease (HD).

Methods: Retrospective analysis, over a 5-year period (1999-2004), of infants (<6 months of age) with suspected HD undergoing rectal biopsy following abnormalities identified on CE (transition zone [TZ], abnormal rectosigmoid ratio, microcolon, retained contrast, or mucosal irregularity).

Results: One hundred twenty-nine patients underwent rectal biopsy following an abnormal CE.