ORAL-ADMINISTRATION OF IOPENTOL (IMAGOPAQUE(R) 300 MG I ML) A COMPARED WITH AMIDOTRIZOATE (PERITRAST(R) 300 MG I/ML), BOTH DILUTED TO 2-PERCENT (V/V), IN IMAGING OF THE GASTROINTESTINAL-TRACT IN ABDOMINAL CONTRAST-ENHANCED CT - A CLINICAL-TRIAL ASSESSING PATIENT TOLERANCE, DISTRIBUTION OF CONTRAST-MEDIUM AND HOUNSFIELD UNIT MEASUREMENTS/

The aim of the trial was to evaluate and compare the safety and effica cy of iopentol (Imagopaque(R), Nycomed Imaging AS, Oslo, Norway) and a midotrizoate (Peritrast(R), Kohler Pharma, Alsbach, Germany), both 300 mg I/ml initially, but diluted to 2% (v/v) and administered orally Si xty-four and 65 patients were included in the respective contrast medi um groups. Portions of contrast medium, totally 1.51, were taken every 15 min during the hour before the examination. A standard radiologica l procedure for abdominal CT was followed. Nine percent of the patient s in each group experienced adverse events which were possibly contras t medium related. Taste acceptance was comparable in the two groups. E xcept for the stomach, radiographic efficacy was satisfactory all inte stinal segments. The difference in density in the proximal small bowel (main parameter) achieved with the media was not significant (p = 0.3 3), nor was that as regards image homogeneity (contrast distribution). In conclusion, iopentol is well suited for oral contrast enhancement of the gastrointestinal tract in abdominal computed tomography.