Efficacy of Barium-Based Fecal Tagging for CT Colonography: a Comparison between the Use of High and Low Density Barium Suspensions in a Korean Population - a Preliminary Study.
- Author:
Min Ju KIM
1
;
Seong Ho PARK
;
Seung Soo LEE
;
Jeong Sik BYEON
;
Eugene K CHOI
;
Jung Hoon KIM
;
Yeoung Nam KIM
;
Ah Young KIM
;
Hyun Kwon HA
Author Information
- Publication Type:Original Article ; Comparative Study ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
- Keywords: Colon, CT; Computed tomography (CT) colonography; Virtual colonoscopy; Computed tomography (CT), contrast media
- MeSH: Administration, Oral; Adult; Barium/administration & dosage/*diagnostic use; Colon/radiography; *Colonography, Computed Tomographic/methods; Colonoscopy; Colorectal Neoplasms/diagnosis/radiography; Contrast Media/*administration & dosage; *Feces; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Suspensions
- From:Korean Journal of Radiology 2009;10(1):25-33
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
- Abstract: OBJECTIVE: This preliminarily study was designed to determine and to compare the efficacy of two commercially available barium-based fecal tagging agents for CT colonography (CTC) (high-density [40% w/v] and low-density [4.6% w/v] barium suspensions) in a population in Korea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a population with an identified with an average-risk for colorectal cancer, 15 adults were administered three doses of 20 ml 40% w/v barium for fecal tagging (group I) and 15 adults were administered three doses of 200 ml 4.6% w/v barium (group II) for fecal tagging. Excluding five patients in group I and one patient in group II that left the study, ten patients in group I and 14 patients in group II were finally included in the analysis. Two experienced readers evaluated the CTC images in consensus regarding the degree of tagging of stool pieces 6 mm or larger. Stool pieces were confirmed with the use of standardized CTC criteria or the absence of matched lesions as seen on colonoscopy. The rates of complete fecal tagging were analyzed on a per-lesion and a per-segment basis and were compared between the patients in the two groups. RESULTS: Per-lesion rates of complete fecal tagging were 52% (22 of 42; 95% CI, 37.7-66.6%) in group I and 78% (28 of 36; 95% CI, 61.7-88.5%) in group II. The difference between the two groups did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.285). The per-segment rates of complete tagging were 33% (6 of 18; 95% CI, 16.1%-56.4%) in group I and 60% (9 of 15; 95% CI, 35.7%-80.3%) in group II; again, the difference between the two groups did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.171). CONCLUSION: Barium-based fecal tagging using both the 40% w/v and the 4.6% w/v barium suspensions showed moderate tagging efficacy. The preliminary comparison did not demonstrate a statistically significant difference in the tagging efficacy between the use of the two tagging agents, despite the tendency toward better tagging with the use of the 4.6% w/v barium suspension.
