The use of carbon dioxide as an insufflation agent in barium enema--does it have a role?
A double blind prospective study was undertaken to evaluate the benefit of using carbon dioxide in double contrast barium enema (DCBE). 142 consecutive patients referred for DCBE were randomly allocated to receive either air or carbon dioxide (CO2) as the insufflation agent. The use of CO2 reduced the incidence of immediate and delayed severe pain from 31% to 12.5% and from 12.9% to 4.2% respectively. There was a statistically significant higher incidence of delayed severe pain in the younger age group as found in previous studies. Post-evacuation films showed that there was less residual gas after CO2. The quality of the DCBE was unchanged. We urge the more widespread use of CO2 as insufflation agent in DCBE.
Robson
N K
NK
Department of Radiology, Southampton General Hospital, UK.
Lloyd
M
M
Regan
F
F
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000388:Air; D001466:Barium Sulfate; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004733:Enema; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D011029:Pneumoradiography / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D011446:Prospective Studies
D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D001466:Barium Sulfate