[The use glucagon for endoscopic and radiological examination of the gastrointestinal tract (author's transl)].

In more than 1,000 radiological and endoscopic examinations of the smooth muscle hollow organs of the upper intestinal tract, crysalline glucagon (0.2 to 0.5 mg., average dose 1 u/kg. body weight given at a single intravenous injection) resulted in a significant relaxation and reduction of peristalsis. This effect was less marked in the colon and recto-sigmoid. In five patients with colonic diverticulosis it had no effect. In 150 patients it was found that the onset of hypotonia after injection of glucagon increases from proximal to distal, the duration of maximal reduction in peristalsis decreasing distally. Glucagon is indicated for reducing the tone of smooth muscle hollow organs in order to judge their elasticity and to distinguish between functional and organic causes of a stenosis or increased size of folds. The rapid onset of peristaltic inhibition makes various diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopic procedures simpler or even possible. Compared with the usual atropin-like antispasmodics, glucagon has the advantage of being free from side effects apart from transient hyperglycaemia. Diabetes mellitus requiring insulin is a (relative) contra-indication to the use of glucagon.