A RAPID CONTRAST ROENTGENOGRAPHY OF THE TOTAL DIGESTIVE TRACT

Abstract

Recently Ellis and Krantz reported that the total digestive tract is able to be rapidly contrasted by adding Sorbitor, a kind of hexose, into the usual contrast medium of barium surfate. We tried various modifications of this method and obtained a optimal ratio of mixing for Japanese. Time for passage was considerably different according to individuality and concentration of Sorbitol (ratio of mixing). Our observations, however, revealed that mixture of 100-150g of barium sulfate, a viscsus substance (consisting of 0.5g of C.M.C. and 1.0g of Arabian rubber), 200-300cc of warm water, and 15% of Sorbitol was appropriate. Characteristics of Sorbitol as well as addition of the viscous substance made it possible to observe filling and mucosal relief pictures of the total digestive tract within considerably short time (3-5 hours after oral administration). Moreover, the photographic evaluation bore comparison with the customary method. In addition, the appendix was visualized in more than 90%, that is, the presenting method had even more extensive diagnostic field than the ordinary one.