Comparison of water-soluble contrast media and barium in rats with small bowel obstruction or ischemia.

The experimental results from comparing the low-osmolar radiographic contrast media (CM) iohexol, iodixanol, and ioxaglate to the hyperosmolar CM sodium diatrizoate or barium for enteric follow-up examination in rats, suggest that low-osmolar CM are the better alternatives for use in examinations of obstructed small intestine. Excretion of iodine to the urinary bladder in rats with acute intestinal ischemia indicates that water soluble CM may be helpful in the discrimination between this serious disease and simple obstruction of the small intestine.