Intestinal irrigoscopy is a type of X-ray examination of the digestive system. Despite the use of other diagnostic methods, this procedure cannot be replaced by any other study. Intestinal irrigoscopy is a method for diagnosing diseases of the colon, carried out after filling it with an radiopaque substance. As a contrast, the most commonly used solution is barium sulfate, which is introduced into the intestine in a retrograde manner.
Indications and contraindications for the study
Indications for the appointment of intestinal irrigoscopy:
- congenital malformations of the colon;
- tumors;
- diverticulosis and diverticulitis;
- chronic colitis of various etiologies;
- cicatricial narrowing of the intestine.
Intestinal irrigoscopy is contraindicated in case of possible perforation of the intestinal wall, severe condition of the subject.
The diagnostic value of irrigoscopy largely depends on the quality of the preparation of the patient. The purpose of the preparation is the maximum possible release of the intestines from gases, food debris, mucus, and liquid that interfere with the study.
Preparation for irrigoscopy
Preparation for irrigoscopy is carried out for three days before the appointed study. Foods that cause the formation of gases in the digestive tract are excluded from milk: milk, rye bread, legumes, potatoes, cabbage, sweets. The patient should take digestible food, which gives a small amount of toxin and does not cause irritation of the intestinal mucosa.
To reduce flatulence for three days before the study, the patient should take adsorbents, that is, activated charcoal or carbolene, 2 tablets three times a day. Activated charcoal tablets can be replaced with a warm decoction of medicinal chamomile, which must be drunk 200-300 ml during the day. To prepare the broth, one tablespoon of dried chamomile flowers is brewed with 200-250 ml of boiling water, insisted for half an hour and taken orally after straining.
With persistent constipation, it is recommended to take laxatives, with the exception of salt preparations, which are irritating to the intestinal mucosa, causing flatulence. In addition to laxatives to free the intestines, you can do a light massage of the abdomen, special exercises of physiotherapy exercises. A day before the examination, it is necessary to stop taking medications that reduce the tone and motility of the intestine.
On the eve of irrigoscopy after lunch, the patient should drink 40-50 ml of vegetable oil. In the evening after dinner, two cleansing enemas are performed to empty and rinse the intestines with an interval of half an hour. In the morning, two to three hours before the examination should be limited to a light breakfast. 30-40 minutes after breakfast, for a complete cleansing of the intestines , a cleansing enema should again be made, which will have to be repeated after half an hour.
Immediately before irrigoscopy, the colon is filled with an X-ray contrast solution, and then X-rays of different parts of the intestine are taken in different positions of the patient. After removing the contrast agent from the intestine, an X-ray examination of the relief of the colon mucosa is performed. If there is a suspicion of a tumor, intestinal irrigoscopy is performed with additional filling of the intestine with air, which allows a more detailed examination of changes in the mucous membrane. This method is called double contrast irrigoscopy.
If intestinal irrigoscopy is prescribed, preparation for the study should be carried out in full, recommended by the doctor. Otherwise, the results of the study will be incorrect.