Double contrast examination of the small bowel

The technique for contrast examination of the small bowel has been considerably elaborated during recent years by the reintroduction of duodenal intubation by Sellink. A double contrast method for the small bowel via duodenal intubation is presented based on a prospective study of 202 patients. When the injected contrast medium had reached the cecum, air was introduced and double contrast views were obtained of the terminal ileum and cecum. It was noted that air passed very rapidly through the bowel but did not seem to influence that transit of the positive contrast medium. The duration of the examination in 75% of the cases was less than 45 min.