Application Frequency of the Alimentary Tract Contrast Study

Abstract

The main aim of this study is to evaluate the application frequency of barium studies in relation to the other contrast examinations. This study was conducted at radiology departments of some of centers at Khartoum state in the period from March to December.Random sample of 400 patients, who had been examined by different types of contrast studies, using fluoroscopy or computed radiography in order to compare the application frequency of barium studies in relation to other contrast enhanced examinations. In this study, the barium examinations were more occurrences (29%) than IVU (27.5%), HSG (23%), urethrogram (9.5%), MCUG (4.5%), fistulogram (2.5%), T-Tube cholecystogram (1.5%), cystogram (1%), nephrostogrm (0.5%), and sinogram (0.1%). The most using of barium studies was in diagnosis of dysphagia, chronic constipation in children and post operative patients. The study revealed that barium swallow had the highest frequency (55.2%) in comparison with barium enema(33.6%), barium meal(8.6%) and barium follow-through (2.6%). The study elaborated that, barium sulfate was used in most of the cases (61.2%) and water soluble contrast was used in a certain cases with about (38.8%). The study found that, the barium studies were conducted more in Fideel Hospital (50.9%). The study concluded that; despite the presence of the recent new modalities, alimentary tract contrast enhanced study has a high application frequency and is