10% low density corn-oil emulsion oral contrast agent for abdominal computed tomography

CT of the gastrointestinal tract is commonly performed after administration of a high-density dilutediodinated oral contrast material. However, because of inadequate mixing of the contrast material with the gastrointestinal contents, pseudotumor and poor mucosal visualization are frequently shown on abdominal CT. Toovecome these problem, 10% corn oil emulsion(COE) is tested as an alternative oral contrast agent in 40 patients. We analyse patients' tolerance, gastric mucosal visualization and discrimination of pancreas from the duodenalC-loop to 10% COE in 40 patients compared with those obtained from 35 patients, who was received high-densitydiluted iodinated oral contast agent(gastrografin). The results are as follows: 1. Patients' tolerance to 10% COEis similar to that to conventional oral contrast agent. 2. Image of the gastric mucosa from patients receiving 10%COE is superior to that receiving oral contrast agent. 3. The discrimination between pancreatic head from duodenalC-loop is better in patients receiving 10% COE than in patients receiving conventional oral contrast agent. 4. Inpatients receiving 10% COE, differentiation of cystic masses from intestinal loops is sometimes difficult. The reults of this sutudy indicate that 10% COE may be useful oral contrast agent for optimal visualization of gastricmucosa and pancreatico-duodenal discrimination on abdominal CT.