Detailed per-oral small bowel examination vs. enteroclysis. Part I: Expenditures and radiation exposure.

Time involved, patient reaction, and radiation exposure were compared for 25 patients undergoing a per-oral small bowel series and 18 having enteroclysis. For the per-oral study, mean room time was 17 minutes and fluoroscopy time was 4 minutes; for enteroclysis, mean room time was 44 minutes and fluoroscopy time was 22 minutes. Side effects were categorized as mild to moderate in two thirds of patients having enteroclysis, whereas they were minimal in 20% of those having the per-oral examination. Radiation exposure was five times greater for enteroclysis. These factors should be considered along with the age of the patient, indications for the examination, and the accuracy of the technique when planning a study of the small bowel.