The effect of glucagon on barium-enema examination.

Fifty barium-enema studies were performed with glucagon and 50 with a placebo to compare their effect on colonic spasm, patient discomfort, and diagnostic quality. Each drug was administered in a randomized double-blind fashion and was injected intramuscularly 10 minutes before beginning the enema. Bowel relaxation during fluoroscopy was graded. Patients were questioned about discomfort during and immediately after the enema, and radiographs were reviewed blindly for diagnostic quality and degree of spasm. Studies done with glucagon produced significantly less spasm and discomfort and better diagnostic quality compared to the placebo (p less than 0.01).