Effect of S-carboxy-methyl-L-cysteine on the radiologic visualization of the mucosa in double-contrast examination of the stomach
Kinnunen, J.; Pietilä, J.; Mankinen, P.; Tervahartiala, P.; Rüfenacht, B.
Rontgen-Blatter; Zeitschrift für Rontgen-Technik und Medizinisch-Wissenschaftliche Photographie 38(9): 282-285
1985
ISSN/ISBN: 0300-8592 PMID: 3903970 Document Number: 266115
The radiographic pattern of the areae gastricae is produced by barium lying in the intersecting grooves of the gastric mucosal surface. However, if the mucus layer on the gastric mucosa is thick, it interferes with the barium coating of the areae gastricae. As S-carboxy-methyl-L-cysteine has been shown to be an effective respiratory tract mucolytic when administered by mouth and, may also render the gastric mucus layer thinner, it was tested as a pretreatment agent in a routine double contrast upper-gastrointestinal study to improve the visualization of the areae gastricae. In a double-blind study 53 of 103 patients took S-carboxy-methyl-L-cysteine in a dosage of 750 mg three times daily for three days before the examination. Results of the present study show that mucolysis induced by the administered doses of S-carboxy-methyl-L-cysteine did not significantly affect micromucosal visualization during double-contrast barium meal.