metrizamide and Enterocolitis--Pseudomembranous

The diagnosis of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in neonates may be made by clinical presentation, roentgenographic findings, or a combination of both. Diagnosis leads to immediate treatment including nasogastric suction, parenteral antibiotics, plasma, and close monitoring of clinical, roentgenographic, and laboratory findings. Occasionally, neither the clinical nor plain roentgenographic appearance of an infant allows the diagnosis of NEC to be made or excluded with confidence. In such infants portable isotonic metrizamide gastrointestinal (GI) series were used to help make the decision of whether to begin treatment for NEC or to continue feeding the patient. Of 15 patients examined, two exhibited signs of NEC and were successfully treated medically without GI (tract) sequelae. Twelve neonates had normal results of metrizamide GI series and ten were immediately fed with no GI complication. One of these 12 infants had feedings withheld for several days as a result of a positive blood culture. One infant with severe cardiac and pulmonary disease had profound adynamic ileus and could not be fed. We have found the metrizamide GI series to be a useful study in neonates suspected of having NEC.

Topics: Bacteriological Techniques; Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous; Escherichia coli; Female; Gastrointestinal Motility; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Male; Metrizamide; Radiography

The finding of a gasless abdomen on the abdominal radiograph of an infant over 12 hr old is usually abnormal and may reflect a serious pathologic disorder. Accurate diagnosis is important to plan appropriate therapy. A careful review of the clinical history and the plain chest and abdominal radiographs will often permit an accurate diagnosis to be made. In cases where the diagnosis remains in doubt, contrast studies of the bowel with metrizamide have proved helpful. This report presents six infants with gasless abdomens of unknown cause. In each case, a metrizamide contrast study of the bowel was helpful in providing an accurate diagnosis.

Topics: Child, Preschool; Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous; Female; Gases; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Infant, Newborn, Diseases; Intestinal Obstruction; Intestinal Perforation; Intestines; Male; Metrizamide; Radiography; Urinary Bladder Diseases

Metrizamide is the first water-soluble radiographic contrast agent which, because it is nonionic, can be used in isotonic solution and gives good visualization of the desired body structure. Its only major disadvantage is that it is very expensive. Metrizamide can be used to study the neonatal bowel in clinical situations where all the other existing contrast agents are contraindicated. The results of 55 metrizamide studies of the bowel in infants are reviewed. In necrotizing enterocolitis metrizamide aids in confirming or rejecting the diagnosis, identifying patients for surgery, and in evaluating the response to surgery. Metrizamide can identify the etiology in unusual cases of bowel obstruction. Metrizamide correctly identified a thoracic origin of free peritoneal air in four cases and a bowel origin in two cases. It identified bowel perforation in two patients in the absence of pneumoperitoneum. In six patients, the metrizamide study identified the cause for a gasless abdomen. It is concluded that metrizamide has a valuable role to play in evaluating a variety of neonatal bowel disorders.

Topics: Drug Evaluation; Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Intestinal Obstruction; Intestinal Perforation; Intestines; Metrizamide; Radiography

Topics: Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous; Female; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Infant, Newborn, Diseases; Intubation, Gastrointestinal; Male; Metrizamide; Radiography