Gastrografin versus dilute barium for colonic CT examination: a blind, randomized study

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Optimal colonic opacification is crucial for accurate CT examinations.
• Traditional contrast agents like barium may have limitations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of small-volume, nondilute diatrizoate meglumine/diatrizoate sodium (Gastrografin) for colonic opacification in CT.
• To compare Gastrografin with dilute barium and no contrast medium.

Main Methods:

• Fifty patients undergoing CT examinations were divided into groups.
• Groups received either 20 ml or 30 ml of nondilute Gastrografin, 600 ml of dilute barium, or no oral contrast the night prior.
• Colonic opacification and artifact frequency were assessed.

Main Results:

• Total colonic opacification rates were 92% for 30 ml Gastrografin, 71% for 20 ml Gastrografin, 46% for dilute barium, and 9% for controls.
• Significant artifacts were infrequent across all groups.

Conclusions:

• Small-volume, nondilute Gastrografin is a well-tolerated, cost-effective, and efficient method for achieving colonic opacification for CT.
• This approach offers superior opacification compared to dilute barium or no contrast.