Gastrografin Versus Dilute Barium for Colonic CT Examination

Abstract

Fifty patients receiving oral contrast medium the day of their CT [computed tomography] examinations were studied to evaluate colonic opacification. Two groups were given small volumes (20 vs. 30 ml) of nondilute diatrizoate meglumine/diatrizoate sodium (gastrografin) the night prior to examination and were compared with groups receiving no contrast medium (control) or a large volume (600 ml) of dilute Ba the night prior to examination. Frequency of total colonic opacification was as follows: 30 ml gastrografin, 92%; 20 ml gastrografin, 71%; dilute Ba 46%; and control, 9%. Significant artifact was infrequent in all groups. Administration of small volumes of nondilute gastrografin is a well tolerated, inexpensive and effective method for opacifying the colon for CT.