BENEFIT OF INTRAVENOUS MUSCLE-RELAXANTS DURING BARIUM FOLLOW THROUGH

The value of an intravenous (i.v.) smooth muscle relaxant during bariu m follow through (BaFT) examination has been evaluated in a prospectiv e study of 51 patients. Spot compression films pre- and post-relaxant were compared. Relaxant-induced hypotonia improved image quality in 33 (64.8%) patients by facilitating bowel loop separation and/or graded compression. Additional diagnostic information was obtained in 14 (27. 5%), and reporting confidence was improved in 19 (37.3%) patients. A m arked analgesic effect occurred in seven patients with Crohn's disease , ameliorating pain that otherwise prevented full compression. Intrave nous relaxants are recommended when high tone makes compression diffic ult, to help separate overlying loops and where pain in Crohn's diseas e prevents adequate compression.