[MR tomography of colorectal diseases with a negative rectal contrast medium]

The potential of the generic kaopectate (Upjohn) as a negative rectal contrast agent in MR imaging was investigated in the assessment of colorectal disease. 45 MR examinations in patients with colorectal disease (colorectal carcinoma 25 patients, inflammatory disease 12 patients, miscellaneous disorders of the colon 8 patients) were evaluated. All examinations were performed with T1 and T2 weighted SE sequences after rectal application of kaopectate. Gd-DTPA enhanced T1 SE sequences were obtained as well. Kaopectate revealed a signal void of the lumen of the large intestine in T1 and T2 weighted SE sequences. Intravenous administration of Gd-DTPA enabled good differentiation of contrast-enhanced malignant or inflammatory tissue and the low signal lumen of the bowels. No side effects were noted.