Randomized single blind trial of two low-volume bowel preparations for screening computed tomographic colonography.
BACKGROUND
Bowel preparation is an important part of computed tomographic colonography (CTC); we evaluated two small-volume preparations for screening CTC with regard to quality of preparation and patient acceptability.


METHODS
Asymptomatic subjects at average risk for colorectal cancer from a community-based CTC screening program were randomized to bowel preparation comprising magnesium/bisacodyl/picolax or polyethylene glycol (PEG)/picolax. CTC images were evaluated by a blinded investigator for residual feces and fluid; subjects completed a questionnaire regarding acceptability of the preparation.


RESULTS
In 176 subjects randomized to magnesium/bisacodyl/picolax (n = 82) or PEG/picolax (n = 94), the former preparation was discontinued because of syncope or presyncope in four (5%) subjects. Another 137 subjects received PEG/picolax without a significant adverse event. There were no other major differences in acceptability of the preparations as reported by subjects. The quality of bowel preparations for reporting CTC was similar.


CONCLUSIONS
For subjects having screening CTC, both small-volume bowel preparations are generally well tolerated and result in minimal fluid and fecal residue; however, the magnesium/bisacodyl/picolax preparation was accompanied by an unacceptable incidence of syncope and is no longer used by us.
Forbes
G M
GM
Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Royal Perth Hospital, Wellington Street, Perth, Western Australia 6001, Australia. geoff.forbes@health.wa.gov.au
Edwards
J T
JT
Foster
N M
NM
Wood
C J
CJ
Mendelson
R M
RM
D001726:Bisacodyl; D002400:Cathartics; D002951:Citrates; D023881:Colonography, Computed Tomographic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008274:Magnesium; D008297:Male; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D010847:Picolines; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D016037:Single-Blind Method
D002400:Cathartics; D002951:Citrates; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D010847:Picolines; D001726:Bisacodyl; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D008274:Magnesium; C005701:picosulfate sodium