To diagnose diverticulosis, which procedure is recommended?

To diagnose diverticulosis, a barium enema is often used because it is effective in visualizing the colon and highlighting any diverticula present within it. The barium helps coat the lining of the bowel, allowing for better contrast on imaging studies and enabling the detection of abnormalities such as diverticular disease.

While other imaging techniques, such as a CT scan, can also confirm the presence of diverticulosis and are often preferred due to their detailed imaging and ability to visualize complications, the barium enema remains a classic diagnostic tool. It specifically helps in outlining the colon's shape and determining if diverticula are present.

Endoscopy and X-rays, while useful in other contexts, don't provide the same level of clarity and detail for diagnosing diverticulosis as barium enema does. Thus, barium enema stands out as a well-established diagnostic method for this condition.