Irrigoscopy

Irrigoscopy is used for detailed and thorough examination of the intestines. Traditional X-rays are not always suitable for this, since it is very difficult to see the intestines against the background of the surrounding organs and tissues, it is not X-ray contrast. What is the essence of irrigoscopy and how does it help fight intestinal diseases?

Essence of irrigoscopy

This method of examination of the digestive tract, in particular, the intestines, irrigoscopy - is translated from Latin as irrigatio - watering, watering, and from Greek - skopeo - I observe, I consider. That is, irrigoscopy is performed using a special fluid that is introduced into the rectum - barium sulfate. It is administered by means of an enema.

This is not the only method of introducing a contrast agent into the rectum. You can take barium sulfate and oral. After taking it should take 3-4 hours, and then the contrast agent is in the caecum. After that, it gradually moves through the entire intestinal area. It takes 4 to 6 hours to advance in the right half of the cecum, and another 5–6 hours to advance in the left half of the colon. Then, 12-15 hours after the initial administration of barium sulfate, this substance finally gets into the rectum.

Then you can diagnose all parts of the intestine. Barium sulphate does not absorb the intestine, and this substance can be excreted from the body for 1-2 days, and not in a modified form.

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Is irrigoscopy dangerous?

No, doctors and patients state that with this method of diagnosis a small amount of X-ray is needed, much less than with a conventional X-ray examination. The procedure is absolutely painless and anesthesia is not needed for it.

For those who fear for the safety of the procedure, it is important to know that a much lower dose of radiation is required for an irrigoscopy than, for example, a computer tomography. How much time is required for this procedure and how much radiation for it to apply, the radiologist decides.

How to prepare for irrigoscopy?

Two days before the procedure, the patient should conduct a so-called slab-free diet — that is, eliminate beans, fresh vegetables and fruits, and cabbage in any of its forms and degree of preparation from the diet.

The day before the procedure for cleaning the intestines, the patient takes castor oil (castor oil). It will take up to 30 grams per day. Before the irrigoscopy in the evening you need to do a cleansing enema. It is impossible to eat after an enema. In the morning the next day you can eat a light breakfast and do another cleansing enema. Then you can proceed to the most irrigoskopii.

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The duration of the irrigoscopy procedure

It depends on the number of images required for medical evaluation. On average, a study takes from five to ten minutes.

How do irrigoscopy?

Through the rectum or orally, barium sulfate (its aqueous suspension) is injected into the person. It acts in the rectum as a contrast agent. Barium sulfate is diluted as follows: 1600 ml of water per 400 grams of barium powder, add up to 2 g of tannin. This substance is heated to a temperature of 33 degrees Celsius and injected through a special rubber tube.

Then, as the substance passes through the intestines, the doctor can see on the screen the condition of the esophagus. With the help of a special device, the doctor takes pictures of different parts of the colon in its different positions. These pictures can be from a long-term perspective (survey) and with a short-term perspective (aiming).

The patient at the same time changes the situation on the recommendation of a doctor. Then comes the next stage of diagnosis: a suspension of barium sulfate is removed from the intestine, after which the doctor can diagnose the relief of the colon mucosa.

If there is a suspicion of a malignant tumor in the colon, it is filled with air by pumping it through a special tube with a non-rigid tip. To do this, use the Bobrov apparatus. This procedure is called double contrasting.

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Contraindications for irrigoscopy

Irrigoscopy is contraindicated in patients who have significant perforation (destruction) of the colon wall. As well as patients who are allergic to barium sulfate. And those patients who are in a chronically serious condition. During pregnancy, an irrigoscopy procedure should be coordinated with your doctor.

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What gives irrigoscopy?

The doctor will observe during the diagnosis exactly how the contrast agent is moving through the intestines. What kind of gaps it will give or more dark places will determine how the colon feels, whether there are foreign bodies in it, whether there are no polyps or malignant tumors.

Diagnostics with the help of an irrigoscopy will help to determine what the shape of the colon is, as well as its cone and how it moves for a certain length of time.

The colon has one feature that distinguishes it from other types of intestines. This is the presence of gauster - intestinal tube extensions, which are divided into segments. The transverse colon has the most haust. A sigmoid colon in vivo is characterized by the fact that it is the most mobile of all the other intestines. Irrigoscopy allows you to identify how vary the sections, the length and location of the intestine. As well as the presence and nature of the folds of the mucous membrane covering the large intestine from the inside - both lateral folds and longitudinal folds are studied during the diagnosis.

This type of diagnosis allows to detect tumors in the colon, the presence of polyps, changes in stool, diverticula, which are complemented by such unpleasant conditions as abnormal stools, colitis, and even irrigoscopy used to check how actively the intestines are reduced.