Use of methylcellulose in small bowel follow-through examination: comparison with conventional series in normal subjects

Abstract.

Background: To evaluate and optimize a modified small bowel follow-through examination (SBFT) by using an oral administration of a large amount (600 mL) of methylcellulose after taking a small amount of barium.

Methods: Ninety-nine normal subjects underwent modified SBFT with an oral administration of 600 mL of 0.5% methylcellulose after taking 100 mL of 120% or 100, 150, or 200 mL of 70% w/v barium. The transradiancy and distensibility of the bowel and the transit time were compared with those of 39 other normal subjects who underwent conventional SBFT with 500 mL of 70% w/v barium.

Results: Except for two subjects who developed diarrhea immediately after examination, no patients complained of acute symptoms, such as abdominal pain or vomiting. Modified SBFT was much superior to conventional series for obtaining good bowel transradiancy and rapid transit time (range = 37–49 min), but bowel distention was not significantly improved. The use of 150 mL of 70% w/v barium was better than the other three modified techniques for achieving good bowel transradiancy, rapid transit time, and less occurrence of flocculation.

Conclusion: Modified SBFT is a simple method for easily improving the image quality in terms of bowel transradiancy and transit time.