[Hypodense oral intestinal contrasting for the diagnostic optimization of abdominal computed tomograms in children].

37 children were examined for diagnostic improvement of the oral intestinal contrasting images in abdominal computed tomography with a hypodense solution of mannitol (n = 23) in comparison with a suspension of BaSO4 (n = 14). Because of the hypodense intestinal contrasting images the artifacts of the images induced by the bordering surface could be reduced, the condition of fullness of the intestine and the judgement of the intestinal wall improved. The parenchymatous organs and points of abdominal lymph nodes could be defined and judged more easily through the hypodense contrasting images. On the whole the picture quality of the computed tomography of the young child could be increased with the hypodense solution of mannitol.