No abstract available.
Macrophages* ; Methylcellulose*

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of amniotic membrane and additional use of 2% methylcellulose(Methocel(R)) in reducing the postoperative adhesions following strabismus surgery. METHODS: Twenty white rabbits (40 eyes) were divided into 4 groups: control group C (12 eyes), trial group A (12 eyes), trial group B (12 eyes), and normal group N (4 eyes). In group C, the superior rectus was detached and scleral scratching was done to provoke a fibrotic reaction, and then, the superior rectus was reattached to the original insertion site. In group A, the above procedure was done and in addition, the superior rectus was covered with two-folded amniotic membrane. In group B, the same procedure was done as in group A and in addition, Methocel(R) was coated between the muscle and adjacent tissues. Eight weeks later, we divided each group into two subgroups. In one group, we examined the degree of adhesion by the blunt dissection between the muscle and adjacent tissues, and in the other group, the histologic findings with a light microscope between the muscle and adjacent tissues. RESULTS: The adhesion degree on the blunt dissection and histologic examination was significantly reduced in groups A and B. But no statistically significant difference between groups A and B was shown in the postoperative adhesion. CONCLUSIONS: From these findings, it is expected that the use of amniotic membrane may reduce the postoperative adhesion after strabismus surgery and theadditional use of Methocel(R) may not be useful.
Amnion* ; Methylcellulose* ; Rabbits ; Strabismus*

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of a modified small bowel follow-through (SBFT) and to optimize this technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety-nine subjects without small bowel pathology underwent modified SBFT using oral administration of methylcellulose after taking 100ml of 120% or 100, 150, or 200ml of 70% barium. Thirty-three and 39 normal subjects undergoing enteroclysis or conventional SBFT, respectively, were also evaluated for comparison of image qualities and transit time. RESULTS: Enteroclysis was the most successful ofthree types of small bowel examination for obtaining the best quality of bowel transradiency and distension. Modified SBFT was, however much superior to the conventional series for obtaining good bowel transradiency and rapid transity time (mean, 37-49 minutes). The use of 150ml of 70% barium was better than the other three modified techniques in achieving good bowel transradiency, rapid transit time, and less flocculation. CONCLUSION: Our modified SBFT is a simple and safe method for easily improving bowel transradiency and transit time.
Administration, Oral ; Barium ; Flocculation ; Methylcellulose* ; Pathology

PURPOSE: To describe the usefulness of small bowel enteroclysis using a hemodialysis blood pump. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Over a 16 month period, 135 double contrast small bowel enteroclysis examinations were performed in132 patients using a hemodialysis blood pump. Following intubation of the proximal jejunum, barium at a dilutionof 50% and 0.5% methylcellulose were infused at a constant rate using a hemodialysis blood pump and multiple spotfilms of the small intestine were obtained. Success rate, quality of radiographs, positive findings, fluoroscopitime and complications were evaluated. RESULTS: Only two of 135 examinations (1.5%) failed due to lack ofcooperation by the patient. Rates of good distensability were 97.6% in the proximal portion, 91.2% in the minportion and 52% in the distal portion and rates of good transparency were 96%, 84% and 56% respectively.Transparency and distensability of the small intestine were better in proximal than distal small bowel. Theradiographs showed positive findings in 25% of cases. The mean fluoroscopic time was 21 min, 10 sec(8min,22sec-57min, 30sec). No major complication was found during or after exam ination. CONCLUSION: It spite of thelong fluoroscopic time and invasiveness, double contrast small bowel enteroclysis is useful for the evaluation ofsmall bowel disease. The infusion of barium and methylcellulose using a hemodialysis blood pump give radiographsof good quality.
Barium ; Humans ; Intestine, Small ; Intubation ; Jejunum ; Methylcellulose ; Renal Dialysis*

PURPOSE: To compare modified small bowel follow-through (SBFT) using methylcellulose after the administrationof barium suspension with a conventional series. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In order to evaluate small bowelpathology, modified SBFT was performed in 155 patients during a 15 month period. All patients received 600mL ofmethylcellulose ; 98 had taken 250mL of 40% wt/vol barium suspension and 57 had taken 150mL of 70% barium. For thegroup of 98, the barium suspension was prepared by mixing barium powder with water (n=46) or with methylcellulosein(n=52). For comparison with a modified series, 49 patients who underwent conventional SBFT using 500mL of 40%wt/vol barium were lso included. Image quality was rated by three radiologists as "poor", "fair", "good", or"excellent". We analyzed the relationship between image quality, transit time and small bowel pathology;the sensitivity and specificity of each technique was also determined. RESULT: Among the four techniques, modifiedSBFT with 250mL of 40% wt/vol barium suspension, prepared by mixing barium powder with methylcellulose, showed thebest image quality ["excellent" result in 33 of the 52 patients (63%)] and shortest transit time to the cecum. Thehigh image quality of this technique was not affected by the presence of small bowel pathology;its use resulted inthe lowest incidence and slowest development of flocculation. The sensitivity (91-95%) of the three modified SBFTprocedures was superior to that of a conventional series(76%), but there was no difference in specificity. CONCLUSION: Modified SBFT using methylcellulose after administering barium suspension with barium powder as amixing agent is a simple technique. Its use easily improves the image quality and diagnostic accuracy of peroralSBFT.
Barium* ; Cecum ; Flocculation ; Humans ; Incidence ; Methylcellulose* ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Water

We evaluated histopathologically the effect of the viscoelastic substance on surgery of the extraocular muscle in the 26 rabbits with 1. 6-2. 5kg of weight. The viscoelastic substances were 1% sodium hyaluronate(Healon) and 2% hydroxypropyl methylcellulose(Methocel), which were introduced between the extraocular muscle and its adjacent tissue on surgery. The rabbits were categorized by group 1(the rabbits with Healon), group 2(with Methocel), and group 3(with normal saline as control). These rabbits were enuclated at 3rd, 7th, 14th, 28th and 56th day following operations, and the eyes were fixed in 2.5% glutaraldehyde solution. The tissue was stained with hematoxylin-eosin and Masson's trichrome, and examined under a light microscope. The results were as follows: 1. In the first group(Healon), the tissue adhesion and degeneration of the muscle were milder than those of control(saline) group. 2. The changes in second group(Methocel) was milder than in the first group and more severe than in control group. 3. It is concluded that 2% Methocel can be used clinically in the surgery of the extraocular muscle.
Glutaral ; Methylcellulose ; Muscles* ; Rabbits ; Sodium ; Tissue Adhesions ; Viscoelastic Substances

Several high molecular weight polymers were tested as a barrier against adhesion between extraocular muscle and its surrounding tissue in a rabbit. We used 48 rabbits to investigate the efficacy of hyaluronic acid, methylcellulose, and gel form as compared to balanced salt solution as a control group in reducing the postoperative adhesion. Under general anesthesia, superior rectus muscle was detached and reattached to original insertion site after coating with barrier materials. Rabbits were killed and histologic examinations were done for degree of adhesion formation at 1. 2, 3, and 6 weeks after surgery. The results were as follows; 1. In control group, the portion that showed the most severe fibrosis was within muscle itself and the portion of the least fibrosis was between muscle and sclera. But in experimental group, there was no differences in degree of fibrosis according to operation site. 2. In control group, the fibrosis progressively increased during the postoperative 6 weeks. In hyaluronic acid group and methylcellulose group, the fibrosis decreased from postoperative 1 week and the degree of decreased fibrosis was more evident in methylcellulose group. In gelform group, fibrosis decreased until postoperative 3 weeks and then increased at postoperative 6 weeks. And one case of foreign body reaction was noted in gel form group. The above results suggest that high molecular weight polymers such as hyaluronic acid and methylcellulose are effective in prevention of adhesion syndrome after extraocular muscle surgery and that methylcellulose is more effective compared to hyaluronic acid.
Anesthesia, General ; Fibrosis ; Foreign-Body Reaction ; Hyaluronic Acid ; Methylcellulose ; Molecular Weight ; Polymers ; Rabbits ; Sclera

To compare the corneal reaction of the widely used viscoelastic substance such as Healon(R), Amvisc(R) and newly developed and less expensive viscoelastic substance(2% methylcellulose), 0.2ml each of various viscous solutions were injected into the anterior chamber of rabbit eyes and their reactions were observed. BSS(Balanced salt solution) was used as a control. 1. Intraocular pressure was elevated to the peak in 3 hours after injection of Healon(R)(44.0 +/- 14.4mmHg), methylcellulose(32.0 +/- 4.0mmHg), Amvisc(R)(33.7 +/- 14.5mmHg) and control BSS(25.8 +/- 4.6mmHg). Intraocular pressure returned to normal at 9 hours after injection of methlycellulose group, while Healon(R) and Amvisc(R) group returned to normal at 24 hours. 2. Central corneal thickness was increased to the peak 12 hours after injection in all groups; Healon(R) 475 +/- 71.9 micrometer, methylcellulose 454 +/- 55.0 micrometer, Amvisc(R) 489 +/- 90.9 micrometer and control BSS 403 +/- 14.0 micrometer. Corneal thickness returned to normal after 2 days in Healon(R) and control groups but it took 6 days for methyclellulose and Amvisc(R) groups. 3. The endothelial cell density 2 weeks after injection were Healon(R) 2,280 +/- 125.0 cells/mm2, methylcellulose 2,187 +/- 120.0 cells/mm2, amvisc(R) and BSS 2,338 +/- 74.0 cells/mm2. The endothelial cell reduction rate was Healon(R) 7%, methylcellulose 6%, Amvisc(R) 14.5% and BSS 3.0%, respectively. 4. In all groups except control ESS group, the endothelial cells under the scanning electron microscope showed decreased microvilli and enlargement of intercellular space. Scanning electron micrograph 2 weeks after injection of Amvisc(R) showed the findings of more edematous endothelial cells compared with those of other groups.
Anterior Chamber ; Endothelial Cells ; Endothelium, Corneal* ; Extracellular Space ; Intraocular Pressure* ; Methylcellulose* ; Microvilli

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of erythromycin(EM), known to accelerate gastric emptying, in modified small-bowel follow-through(SBFT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated 32 normal patients who underwent modified SBFT by oral administration of methylcellulose. In the EM injection group(n=20), 500 mg EM (3 mg/kg in pediatric patients) in 100 ml saline was infused intravenously over a 15-minute period prior to the administration of a barium meal, while in the control group(n=12), EM was not infused. Gastric emptying time(GET), small-bowel transit time(SBTT) for barium and methylcellulose, small-bowel transit(SBT) during the first 15 minutes, luminal diameter and quality of image were compared between the two groups. SBT was assigned 1, 2, 3, or 4 points, depending on the extent to which the barium head reached the proximal or distal jejunum, and the proximal or distal ileum during the initial 15-minute. Three radiologists reached a consensus as to image quality. RESULTS: Mean GET was significantly faster in the EM injection group (18.5 mins for 150 ml barium suspen-sion and 25.8 mins for 600 ml methylcellulose). The SBT score during the initial 15 minutes was significantly higher in the EM injection group (3.3 points) than in the control group (2.4 points), but mean SBTT was not sig-nificantly different between the two groups. Luminal diameter and image quality were also higher in the EM injection group. CONCLUSION: EM does not decrease SBTT but is highly effective for shortening gastric emptying time, helping to increase the range of fluoroscopic examination and improve image quality in modified small-bowel follow-through, especially in patients with delayed gastric emptying.
Administration, Oral ; Barium ; Consensus ; Erythromycin* ; Gastric Emptying ; Head ; Humans ; Ileum ; Jejunum ; Meals ; Methylcellulose ; Phenobarbital

PURPOSE: To qualitatively analyse barium coating status in the intestinal mucosa, we used scanning electronmicroscopy to observe barium particles coated in the small intestinal mucosa of rabbit, and we attempted to assessthe relationship between electron microscopic findings and radiographic densities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixdifferent combinations of barium and methylcellulose suspensions were infused into the resected small intestinesof 15 rabbits. Barium powders were mixed with water to make 40% and 70% w/v barium solutions, and also mixed with0.5% methylcellulose solution to make 40% and 70% w/v barium-methylcellulose mixtures. 0.5% methylcellulosesolutions were used as a double contrast agent. After the infusion of barium suspensions, a mammography unit wasused to obtain radiographs of the small intestine, and their optical densities were measured by a densitometer.Thereafter, photographs of barium-coated small intestinal mucosa were obtained using a scanning electronmicroscope (x8,000), and the number of barium particles in the unit area were measured. To compare therelationship between the electron microscopic findings and optical densities, statistical analysis using Spearmancorrelation was performed. RESULTS: With a Spearman coefficient of-0.544, correlation between the number of smallbarium particles of less than 1 micrometer and optical densities was statistically significant(p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Thisstudy shows that by using scanning electron microscopy, barium particles coated on the small intestinal mucosa canbe qualitatively analysed. It also shows that the number of small barium particles measured by scanning electronmicroscopy is related to optical densities.
Animals ; Barium* ; Intestinal Mucosa* ; Intestine, Small ; Mammography ; Methylcellulose ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Powders ; Rabbits ; Suspensions ; Water