Abstract
The double contrast method of X-ray examination was considered to be started and developed in Japan, but actually it was not Japanese clinicians who first developed and reported this approach. The first report of the double contrast method was published in 1923 by Fischer in Germany, and using a diluted barium contrast medium. The method with thick barium for the contrast medium was reported in 1953 by Welin in Sweden. Both targeted the colon, and were designed to diagnose colon polyps. The author reported a slightly modified procedure in 1970, and experienced a considerable number of cases. Herein the author describe the Fischer and Welin methods precisely.
In 1970, the author went to visit Prof. Welin in Malmö, but he had already retired from the university and the author was introduced by his successor Prof. Boijsen to his collaborator Dr. Andren, the lecturer, who informed me of the details.
The Fischer method is a double contrast method using dilute barium. Although it had been performed in various facilities, the adherence of barium to the inner surface of the colonic wall was not enough and the method later fell into disuse. On the other hand, the Welin method using thick barium provided good barium adherence to the inner surface and it was possible to get good double contrast images of the colon. The author cite herein the instances of that early period using the original method and my modified procedure, and describe the characteristics and benefits of the Welin method and its modification. Around the same time when the author was performing this modification, the author has started making the colon fiberoscopes, resulting in the availability of several kinds of prototype colonofiberoscopes, and I believe there were mutually favorable influences for the development of both the double contrast method and colon fiberoscopy.
