GI tract wall visualization and distension during abdominal and pelvic multidetector CT with a neutral barium sulphate suspension: comparison with positive barium sulphate suspension and with water

Abstract

Objective: When examining patients with contrast-enhanced multidetector-row CT, we determined if the stomach and small bowel were visualized and distended better with a neutral barium sulphate suspension than with positive barium sulphate suspension or water. Materials and methods: After obtaining approval from our institutional review board, 156 patients (women: 84; mean age: 54 yrs) with no history of gastrointestinal tract disease were randomized prospectively to receive orally either 900 ml of neutral (0.1%w/v) barium sulphate suspension (n = 53), 900 ml of positive (2.1%w/v) barium sulphate suspension (n = 53), or 900 ml of water (n = 50), prior to undergoing contrast-enhanced abdominal and pelvic multidetector-row CT. Two independent radiologists evaluated the stomach, and small bowel, for luminal distension and wall visualization, using a five point scale. Results were compared using Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests. Results: The walls of the stomach, and small bowel were visualized better in patients who were administered neutral barium sulphate suspension than those who were administered either positive barium sulphate suspension (p < 0.01) or water (p < 0.01). In patients who received neutral barium sulphate suspension, the stomach and small bowel were distended better compared to patients administered water (p < 0.01); the stomach, duodenum, and ileum were distended better compared to patients administered positive barium sulphate suspension (p < 0.05). Conclusions: When examining patients with intravenous contrast-enhanced abdominal and pelvic multidetector-row CT, orally administered neutral barium sulphate suspension allows the gastrointestinal tract to be visualized and distended better than either positive barium sulphate suspension, or water.

An Interesting Presentation of Ameboma – A Case Report and Review of Literature

“…Another interesting finding in our study is that the ileum was more distended than the jejunum for all positions. This observation is in contrast to those of previous studies [16,21].…”

“…Megibow et al16 and Oliva et al [21] demonstrated relatively better luminal distension and wall visualization in the stomach, which was followed by the small bowel, and each bowel segment (Duodenum, jejunum and ileum) showed similar luminal distension and wall visualization. The discrepancy between those results and ours could be explained by the volume of oral contrast media ingested as well as the time between oral contrast ingestion and CT scanning.…”

Evaluation of bowel distension and bowel wall visualization according to patient positions during administration of oral contrast media for CT enterography

“…This observation is in contrast to those of previous studies. 16,21 Megibow et al 16 and Oliva et al 21 demonstrated relatively better luminal distension and wall visualization in the stomach, which was followed by the small bowel, and each bowel segment (duodenum, jejunum and ileum) showed similar luminal distension and wall visualization. The discrepancy between those results and ours could be explained by the volume of oral contrast media ingested as well as the time between oral contrast ingestion and CT scanning.…”

Radiopaque nano and polymeric materials for atherosclerosis imaging, embolization and other catheterization procedures

“…Multimodal contrast agents based on perfluorooctyl bromide have been used for many years to help image the liver, spleen, and vasculature 13 , 24 . Barium sulfate is a common orally-taken contrast agent used for imaging of the gastrointestinal tract 25 . In some countries, xenon gas is used clinically as an alternative to iodinated media in cerebrovascular imaging 26 .…”