Bowler hat sign explained

The bowler hat sign is a radiologic sign seen on double-contrasted barium enema studies, indicating the presence of a colonic polyp.[1] A ring of barium collects at the base of the polyp and also along its dome, simulating the appearance of a bowler hat. This sign is present for growths that are an intermediate between flat and pedunculated.[2] The differential diagnosis for this sign includes bubbles, diverticula, and unusual projections of anatomic structures such as the appendix.

References

  1. Miller . W T . Levine . M S . Rubesin . S E . Laufer . I . 1989 . Bowler-hat sign: a simple principle for differentiating polyps from diverticula. . Radiology . 173 . 3 . 615–617 . 10.1148/radiology.173.3.2813762 . 0033-8419.
  2. Simms . SM . 1985 . Differential diagnosis of the bowler hat sign . American Journal of Roentgenology . 144 . 3 . 585–587 . 10.2214/ajr.144.3.585 . 0361-803X.