[Double-contrast examination of the small bowel without intubation (author's transl)]

A method for tubeless, double-contrast examination of the small bowel is described. Oral contrast medium and capsules which effervesce in the small bowel resulted in double-contrast demonstration of the small bowel in 90 out of 130 patients. Transit through the small bowel was reduced to an average of 78 minutes, due to increased peristalsis resulting from distension by the intralumental gas. For comparison, average transit time in a control group of 83 patients was found to be 126 minutes. The differential diagnosis of stenosing processes and additional information concerning space-occupying lesions was furthered by small bowel hypotonia induced by the intravenous injection of 15 to 45 mg. propantheline bromide (Probanthine) or 1 to 2 mg. glucagon. The method has the following advantages: 1. Improved demonstration of detailed mucosal pattern, 2. Reduced examination time and 3. Simultaneous visualisation of the entire small bowel.