[Experiences with an alternative distension medium in oral contrast imaging of the small intestine].
OBJECTIVE
The image quality of oral small bowel imaging is often poor on account of the small bowel enema. A new contrast medium should increase the image quality due to better compliance of patient because of the better taste of substance. The loading of patient with radiation or time should not increase.


METHODS
We investigated prospectively 40 patients, randomized in two groups of 20 patients each. Two different substances were used as contrast medium: barium-methylcellulose and Barium-Mucofalk, respectively. The quality of the double contrast, profile of the mucosa, duration of radiation, duration of examination, dose-area product, and taste of the substance were judged for significance.


RESULTS
The taste of the new contrast medium was judged to be better: twice as often as "good" and five times less often as "bad", the difference was not significant due to the small number of patients. There is no significant difference in the other criterias.


CONCLUSIONS
Mucofalk is an alternative contrast medium for oral small bowel radiology in cases of difficult placement of the tube for enema. The quality of double contrast and visualization of the profile of mucosa are the same while the taste is better.
Vogel
J
J
Zentrum für Röntgendiagnostik, Universitätsklinik Ulm.
Merkle
E
E
Klatt
S
S
Friedrich
J M
JM
Rilinger
N
N
Brambs
H J
HJ
D000284:Administration, Oral; D001466:Barium Sulfate; D003287:Contrast Media; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D007410:Intestinal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008747:Methylcellulose; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011859:Radiography
D003287:Contrast Media; D001466:Barium Sulfate; D008747:Methylcellulose