Non-invasive distension of the small bowel for magnetic-resonance imaging

Magnetic resonance enteroclysis is a promising technique that allows assessment of the small bowel but needs invasive nasoduodenal intubation. We propose a non-invasive distension method for magnetic-resonance imaging (MRI) in which ispaghula, dissolved in an aqueous solution with meglumine gadoterate taken orally over 4 h forms a viscous hydrogel within the intestinal lumen. MRI results from ten volunteers showed good luminal distension, constant signal homogeneity, optimum demarcation of the bowel content from surrounding tissues, and a low rate of artefacts. Our method permits non-invasive high quality MRI of the small bowel.