CHICAGO, Nov. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- In a new twist on the slogan "milk
does a body good," radiologists are testing use of the dairy staple as a
contrast agent in gastrointestinal imaging exams -- with excellent results.
The researchers reported their findings today at the annual meeting of the
Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).
"We are able to achieve similar bowel distension and enhancement as we
see with the commonly used contrast agent, VoLumen," said Lisa R.
Shah-Patel, M.D., a radiology resident at St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital in
New York City. "In addition, we found that patients are more willing to
drink milk because it is part of their daily lives, and they know what to
expect."
Computed tomography (CT) imaging of the gastrointestinal tract is often
done for abdominal pain. When the condition calls for visualization of the
small intestinal wall, a negative oral contrast agent should be used.
VoLumen is a barium-based oral contrast agent that works with intravenous
contrast to allow better visualization of the bowel wall and clearer
delineation between the bowel cavity and soft tissue.
When milk is used, the milk-filled intestinal cavity appears dark,
while the intestinal wall appears bright due to intravenous contrast
enhancement. The dark intestinal cavity contrasting with the bright
intestinal wall makes any evidence of disease on the bowel wall more
visible.
The researchers studied 179 adult patients undergoing CT with oral and
intravenous contrast for abdominal discomfort to compare cost effectiveness
and patient tolerance for whole milk versus VoLumen. Sixty-two patients
received VoLumen, and 117 received milk. Of the 57 VoLumen patients who
completed a subsequent questionnaire, 24 (42 percent) experienced abdominal
discomfort such as cramps, diarrhea and nausea, while only 27 (23 percent)
of the 117 patients who received milk reported abdominal discomfort.
Overall, milk was found to be just as effective as VoLumen in bowel
distension (expansion) and bowel-wall conspicuity (enhancement). One
important difference is the price. VoLumen costs $18 per patient, while
whole milk costs $1.39 per patient.
"There are several advantages to milk. Patients are more willing to
drink milk than VoLumen, and it costs a fraction of the price," Dr.
Shah-Patel said. "We hope that substituting milk for other contrast agents
will reduce the number of people who refuse imaging tests because they do
not want to drink the oral contrast, especially children."
Co-authors are Chi Wan Koo, M.D., Jeanne W. Baer, M.D., and David H.
Frager, M.D.
AT A GLANCE
-- Whole milk is an alternative oral contrast solution for
gastrointestinal CT imaging.
-- Bowel distension and enhancement achieved with milk and VoLumen are
similar.
-- VoLumen's cost is $18 per patient, while whole milk's cost is $1.39 per
patient.
-- Patients are more willing to drink milk than VoLumen.
RSNA is an association of more than 40,000 radiologists, radiation
oncologists, medical physicists and related scientists committed to
promoting excellence in radiology through education and by fostering
research, with the ultimate goal of improving patient care. The Society is
based in Oak Brook, Ill.
SOURCE Radiological Society of North America
 back to top
Related links:
http://www.rsna.org
CONTACT:
RSNA Newsroom, +1-312-949-3233, or Before
11-25-06 or after 11-30-06, RSNA Media Relations,
+1-630-590-7762, or Maureen Morley of Radiological Society of
North America, +1-630-590-7754, or mmorley@rsna.org
|
