title: Head-to-head comparison of oral contrast agents for cross-sectional enterography: small bowel distention, timing, and side effects.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine small bowel distention, scanning time, and side effects of commercially available oral contrast agents used in cross-sectional enterography.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten healthy volunteers ingested 2000 mL of water, methylcellulose, polyethylene glycol (PEG), or 1350 mL of low-concentration barium (LCB) followed by 500 mL water on different days. Magnetic resonance imaging occurred every 10 minutes from 30 to 90 minutes after ingestion. Small bowel distention was compared between time points and agents. Volunteers ranked side effects, drinking difficulty, and preference.
  
  
  RESULTS
  By quantitative assessment, PEG and LCB distended small bowel loops better than water and methylcellulose (P < 0.0001). Time to optimal distention of the terminal ileum was from 51 to 72 minutes. Water and methylcellulose had the fewest side effects. Water was the most preferred contrast and PEG the least.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Polyethylene glycol and LCB distend small bowel better than water and methylcellulose. Polyethylene glycol was the most difficult to drink and least preferred agent.
authors.affiliation: Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic Rochester, Rochester, MN , USA.
authors.forename: Brett M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Young
authors.forename: Joel G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Fletcher
authors.forename: Fargol
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Booya
authors.forename: Scott
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Paulsen
authors.forename: Jeff
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fidler
authors.forename: C Daniel
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Huprich
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Barlow
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Trout
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D001466:Barium Sulfate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000187:drug effects*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008747:Methylcellulose / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012016:Reference Values; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods; D014867:Water / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D014867:Water; D001466:Barium Sulfate; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D008747:Methylcellulose