Comparison of three different iodine-based bowel regimens for CT colonography.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to compare the computed tomographic colonography (CTC) image quality and patient acceptance of three iodine-based faecal tagging bowel preparations in 60 patients undergoing the following regimens: a 2-day regimen of meal-time administration of iodine and phospho-soda (GFPH); a 2-day regimen of meal-time mild laxative, followed by iodine administered 2 h before CTC (SD); and a 2-day regimen of meal-time administration of iodine (GF).


METHODS
Two independent radiologists assessed tagging quality; quantitative measures included the tagged stool density, and computer-aided detection (CAD) false-positive rate.


RESULTS
The GFPH and SD regimens provided better subjective quality than GF (p < 0.001). The latter regimen resulted in a higher proportion of insufficiently tagged segments: the measured average stool density was less than 200 HU in 10.7% in all segments vs 3.6% for SD and <0.5% for GFPH, respectively. Insufficient tagging occurred mostly in the ascending colon and the caecum. The CAD false-positive rate increased following the trend: GFPH < SD < GF (p = 0.00012). GFPH was worse tolerated than SD (p < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Considering preparation quality alone, GFPH was the best regimen, but SD provided the best balance between bowel preparation quality and patient acceptability.
Campanella
Delia
D
Radiology Unit, Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment, Strada Provinciale 142, Km 3,95, 10060 Candiolo, Italy.
Morra
Lia
L
Delsanto
Silvia
S
Tartaglia
Vincenzo
V
Asnaghi
Roberto
R
Bert
Alberto
A
Neri
Emanuele
E
Regge
Daniele
D
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001294:Attitude to Health; D023881:Colonography, Computed Tomographic / Q000379:methods*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003287:Contrast Media; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007422:Intestines / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D007455:Iodine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D003287:Contrast Media; D007455:Iodine