title: Improvement of visualization in computed tomographic colonography after mechanic air insufflation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Our aim was to develop an insufflation system for CT colonography enabling even and quick air inflation as well as pressure control and optional emergency decompression.
  
  
  METHODS
  A modified air insufflation system for CT colonography, consisting of an electric air pump, manometer, safety valve, and a balloon tip is presented. Thirty one patients underwent CT colonography from August to December, 2004.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Optimal distension was achieved in 30 patients; the distension was incomplete (partial) only in one case. The insufflation was performed within 60 seconds in 28 of the cases, in 2 patients--within 180 seconds and in one patient--after 180 seconds.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The presented insufflation system allows optimization of CT colonography technique, reduces the risk of adverse events during examination and improves the precision of the method.
authors.affiliation: Department of Imaging Diagnostics, Nuclear Medicine and Radiation Therapy, Medical University, Plovdiv, Bulgaria. mail@nsirakov.com
authors.forename: Nikolay V
authors.initials: NV
authors.lastname: Sirakov
authors.forename: Kichka G
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: Velkova
authors.forename: Russin R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Nikolov
authors.forename: Vladimir N
authors.initials: VN
authors.lastname: Sirakov
mesh_terms: D000388:Air; D003108:Colonic Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D023881:Colonography, Computed Tomographic / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007327:Insufflation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*