GASTROSCAN+M

TECHNIQUES OF EXAMINATION AND DOSAGE:

Gastroscan+M alone.

Oral Administration:

The dosage is dependent on the type of examination and the age of the patient. In adult patients and children of 10 years of age and over, 60 ml is sufficient for visualization of the stomach. For a follow-through examination of the gastrointestinal tract maximum of 100 ml may be required. For elderly and cachectic patients a dilution with water in the proportion of 1:1 is recommended. In children up to 10 years of age, 15 to 30 ml are generally sufficient. This dose can be diluted with water in the proportion of 1:1. For Infants and debilitated small children it is recommended that the contrast medium be diluted with water in the proportion of 1:2.

Rectal Administration:

For adult patients the contrast medium should be diluted with 3 to 4 times its volume of water. In general, unlike barium sulphate enema not more than 500 ml of this diluted GASTROSCAN + M solution is required.

For children over 5 years of age the contrast medium should be diluted with 4 to 5 times its volume of water, for children upto 5 years of age a dilution with water in the proportion of 1:5 is recommended.

Combination of GASTROSCAN + M with Barium Sulphate

In adult patients a ratio of approximately 30 ml GASTROSCAN + M to the usual dose of barium sulphate has proved most satisfactory. In children up to 10 years of age, 10 ml GASTROSCAN + M may be added to the barium, In children up to 5 years of age, a ratio of 2 to 5 ml GASTROSCAN + M to 100 ml barium sulphate has proved of value. If necessary (in cases of pylorospasm or pyloric stenosis) the solution may be further diluted.

This does not affect the contrast. Exposures of the stomach are taken in the usual way whether GASTROSCAN + M alone is used or in combination with barium sulphate. The time taken for emptying of the stomach is same as for the barium, whereas that for filling of the intestine is shorter.

When GASTROSCAN + M alone is used as the contrast medium it generally reaches the rectum after 2 hours, while GASTROSCAN + M and barium sulphate mixture may take up to 3 hours and, in individual cases, longer, if filling is delayed. The extent of this delay and the site of obstruction may possibly give valuable diagnostic hints to the colon function.

The most favorable time for taking exposures of the colon is indicated by the urge to defecate which all patients experience when the contrast medium reaches the rectum.

GASTROSCAN + M left over in an opened bottle can be kept for reuse at a later stage provided the bottle is properly closed.

Computerized Tomography of the abdomen

GASTROSCAN + M is used for the prevention of artefacts caused by air in the gastrointestinal tract. Demarcation of adjacent organs such as the pancreas in the scan picture has also been obtained. 500 - 1500 ml of diluted GASTROSCAN + M solution (about 3 %) is given orally.

ADVANTAGES:

The use of GASTROSCAN + M does not endanger the patient even in case of intestinal obstruction or pyloric stenosis nor when there is a risk of perforation or leakage.

No damage is done if GASTROSCAN + M enters the peritoneal cavity, it creates no problem for surgeon and moreover can be easily removed by suction.

In cases of partial stenosis the fluidity of GASTROSCAN + M is of special importance, since it enters the narrowest passages and renders them visible. An addition advantage is that there is no danger, as with barium, that a partial block is made complete as a result of concentration of the contrast medium.

Since the aqueous solution of GASTROSCAN + M leaves no deposit or opaque residue endoscopy can be performed immediately after the radiological investigation. In cases of acute haemorrhage GASTROSCAN + M, while outlining the mucosal pattern, flows around the blood clot and make it possible to locate the site of the haemorrhage.

GASTROSCAN + M is excellently tolerated by the tissues. Since it is readily absorbed by all tissues except by the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract, it is an ideal contrast medium for visualization of gastrointestinal fistulas. In urgent cases the whole gastrointestinal tract can be examined radiologically in a very short time and the site of any obstruction can be found, without significantly delaying surgery.

In combination with barium the routine follow-through examination can also be carried out more rapidly, with transient yet complete filling of the whole intestine in its final stage. This gives a homogeneous visualization of the colon similar to that obtained with a barium enema. Filling defects and structures of the colon are thus better shown by this method than with the usual barium meal follow-through.

CONTRAINDICATIONS:

There are no absolute contraindications. Caution is necessary in deseases of the thyroid, particularly hyperthyroidism, and in infants. Patients with enteritis or colitis may experience a transitory worsening of their symptoms.

PRECAUTIONS:

If for diagnostic or therapeutic reasons, iodine isotopes are to be used following X-rays examination. It should be born in mind that after the administration of iodine containing contrast media, the capacity of the thyroid tissues to take up iodine is reduced for 8 to 10 weeks or longer.

PRESENTATION:

GASTROSCAN + M: Bottle of 30 ml & 100 ml.

STORAGE:

Store at controlled room temperature 20℃ to 30℃. Do not freeze.
Protect from direct sunlight and secondary X-rays.