Abstract
In the preparation of double-contrast barium examination (DCBE) of the stomach, the non per oral (NPO) method from the previous night is common. However, fine images are not always obtained with this NPO method. We applied a novel method of preparing for the DCBE of the stomach, which is to drink 200 ml of water (the water-drinking method). We compared the barium adhesion in the radiographs between the NPO and the water-drinking method in the same 100 patients who had received the annual medical check-ups. The results showed a significant improvement of barium adhesion with the water-drinking method in all regions of the stomach except the anterior wall of the U-region. This indicates that the water-drinking method is superior to the NPO method when preparing for the DCBE of the stomach; thus, the water-drinking method may be useful for the detection and accurate diagnosis of gastric lesions. In addition, the optimal time point for taking fine radiographs (the best barium adhesion) was 45 to 80 minutes from the water drinking.
