Small Bowel Enteroclysis Using a Hemodialysis Blood Pump

ABSTRACT

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.