Negative Oral Contrast Agents Utilization in PET/CT Studies

Negative Oral Contrast Agents Utilization in PET/CT Studies

To compare the performance of different negative oral contrast agents in bowel distension in patient referred for PET/CT studies for various causes aiming for identification of ideal oral contrast agent(OCA).

Evaluation of gastrointestinal pathology depends on adequate bowel distention, which optimizes resolution of the bowel wall and contents. Traditionally, high-attenuation oral Contrast material in the form of iodine solutions or barium suspensions has been used to obtain bowel distension in MDCT examinations

Traditional high-contrast oral agents like iodine solutions, and barium suspensions which due to overcorrection problems in PET-CT interpretation lowers the accuracy of diagnosis. Negative oral contrast agents like water, air, fat containing agents used with 12.5% corn oil and polyethylene glycol has been used in radiological studies. Milk with 4% fat content has also been tested out in radiological studies and found to be effective. As it is more easily available, palatable, and acceptable especially, by children it needed to be tested in the visualization of the GIT in the PET-CT studies compared to other negative contrast agents.

Inclusion Criteria:

• all patients referred to our unit for PET/CT study for various causes

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients with GIT disease.
• Pregnancy and lactation.
• Severely ill patients.