Oral contrast agents for CT: a taste test survey.
OBJECTIVE
Our goal was to evaluate the palatability of the currently available oral contrast agents for CT.


METHODS
We surveyed 202 adults (92 women and 110 men) with a mean age of 59 years. Each participant sampled five or eight products. The participants ingested 1 oz. of each product and recorded an overall score, taking into account the factors of palatability that were important to them. Scores were marked on a visual analog rating scale with 0 representing "dislike a lot" and 10 representing "like a lot."


RESULTS
The following mean palatability scores were obtained: Gastrografin mixed with Tropical Punch Kool-Aid 8.2; Scan C 5.7; Cheetah 4.7; Readi-Cat 4.4; E-Z-Cat 4.0; Tomo-Cat 3.6, Prep-Cat 3.5; Baro-Cat 3.2; Lipomul mixed with water 3.1.


CONCLUSIONS
Statistical cluster analysis suggested the following groupings of the products (i.e., products with statistically similar scores grouped together): Cluster 1-Kool-Aid with Gastrografin; Cluster 2-Scan C, Cheetah, Readi-Cat: Cluster 3-E-Z-Cat, Tomo-Cat, Prep-Cat, Baro-Cat, Lipomul.
Quagliano
P V
PV
Department of Radiology, McGuire Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Richmond, VA 23249, USA.
Austin
R F
RF
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001290:Attitude; D001466:Barium Sulfate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry; D001628:Beverages; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry; D003314:Corn Oil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry; D003974:Diatrizoate Meglumine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry; D005260:Female; D005421:Flavoring Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D007454:Iodides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013649:Taste; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods; D014783:Viscosity; D014867:Water
D003287:Contrast Media; D005421:Flavoring Agents; D007454:Iodides; D014867:Water; D001466:Barium Sulfate; D003974:Diatrizoate Meglumine; D003314:Corn Oil