title: CT colonography after fecal tagging with a reduced cathartic cleansing and a reduced volume of barium.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of our study was to assess the efficacy of fecal tagging with a small volume of barium in combination with a reduced cathartic cleansing before CT colonography.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study consists of a review of 200 patients examined in a clinical setting. Conventional colonoscopy and CT colonography or follow-up were used as the gold standard. All patients prepared for CT colonography the day before the examination with a dedicated low-residue diet. Fecal tagging was performed with 50 mL of barium. The residual feces and fluid were evaluated on a segmental basis. The residual feces was divided in two categories (< 6 mm and > or = 6 mm). The amount of fluid was assessed on the axial slices. The efficacy of tagging was evaluated visually.
  
  
  RESULTS
  For the study, 1,200 segments were evaluated. Residual feces was present in 413 segments (34.41%), with feces less than 6 mm in 210 segments (17.5%) and feces 6 mm or greater in 203 segments (16.92%). There was residual fluid in 527 segments (43.91%). Nontagged feces 6 mm or greater was present in 49 segments (4.08%) and nontagged fluid in 178 segments (14.83%). All nontagged feces 6 mm or greater was easy to assess. All fluid redistributed with dual positioning. A total of 65 lesions 6 mm or greater were correctly diagnosed on primary CT colonography. In two patients, two lesions adjacent to each other were misinterpreted as being only one. Another 8-mm lesion was missed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In the present study, CT colonography after fecal tagging with 50 mL of barium combined with a reduced cathartic cleansing was feasible.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Stedelijk Ziekenhuis, Bruggesteenweg 90, Roeselare B-8800, Belgium.
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lefere
authors.forename: Stefaan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gryspeerdt
authors.forename: Jesse
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Marrannes
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Baekelandt
authors.forename: Bartel
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Van Holsbeeck
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001466:Barium Sulfate / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001726:Bisacodyl / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002400:Cathartics / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D019343:Citric Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage; D023881:Colonography, Computed Tomographic / Q000379:methods; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003287:Contrast Media; D004032:Diet; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005243:Feces; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009942:Organometallic Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D002400:Cathartics; D003287:Contrast Media; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D001726:Bisacodyl; D001466:Barium Sulfate; D019343:Citric Acid; C110422:magnesium citrate