Comparison of 2 oral ultrasonography contrast agents: simethicone-coated cellulose and simethicone-water rotation in improving pancreatic visualization.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to prospectively compare the efficacy of 2 oral ultrasonography (US) contrast agents (simethicone-water rotation [SWR] and simethicone-coated cellulose [SCC]) in improving visualization of the pancreas.


METHODS
Two sessions (SWR and SCC) of transabdominal US studies were performed on 38 healthy volunteers. In each session, US images were obtained in precontrast supine and upright positions and postcontrast supine and upright positions. The visualization of the pancreas was graded on a scale of 1 to 5 (1 = nonvisualization, 5 = excellent visualization), grading the head, body, and tail separately.


RESULTS
In the supine position, SWR significantly improved the visualization of the pancreatic head, body, and tail, whereas there were no significant differences between SCC and precontrast images. Simethicone-water rotation showed significantly better visualization than SCC. The average scores of the head, body, and tail of the pancreas that graded 4 or more were 15.8% of precontrast, 21.1% of SCC, and 50% of SWR. In the upright position, both SWR and SCC significantly improved the visualization of the pancreas, except for the pancreatic body on SCC. There were no significant differences between SWR and SCC. The average scores that graded 4 or more were 26.3% of precontrast, 57.9% of SCC, and 65.8% of SWR.


CONCLUSIONS
Simethicone-water rotation was more effective than SCC in improving the visualization of the pancreas.
Department of Radiology, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA.
Kousei
K
Ishigami
Dina M
DM
Abu-Yousef
Simon C S
SC
Kao
Monzer M
MM
Abu-Yousef
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D002482:Cellulose / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D015588:Observer Variation; D010179:Pancreas / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D012016:Reference Values; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012841:Simethicone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014867:Water / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry
D003287:Contrast Media; C120539:SonoRx; D014867:Water; D012841:Simethicone; D002482:Cellulose