J Korean Radiol Soc.  1998 Mar;38(3):485-490. 10.3348/jkrs.1998.38.3.485.

Qualitative Analysis of Barium Particles Coated in Small Intestinal Mucosa of Rabbit by Using Scanning ElectronMicroscopy

• Lee YS
• Ha HK
• Lee YS
• Kim JK
• Yoon SE
• Kim JH
• Chung DJ
• Auh YH

• KMID: 2201406
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3348/jkrs.1998.38.3.485

Abstract

PURPOSE: To qualitatively analyse barium coating status in the intestinal mucosa, we used scanning electronmicroscopy to observe barium particles coated in the small intestinal mucosa of rabbit, and we attempted to assessthe relationship between electron microscopic findings and radiographic densities.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Sixdifferent combinations of barium and methylcellulose suspensions were infused into the resected small intestinesof 15 rabbits. Barium powders were mixed with water to make 40% and 70% w/v barium solutions, and also mixed with0.5% methylcellulose solution to make 40% and 70% w/v barium-methylcellulose mixtures. 0.5% methylcellulosesolutions were used as a double contrast agent. After the infusion of barium suspensions, a mammography unit wasused to obtain radiographs of the small intestine, and their optical densities were measured by a densitometer.Thereafter, photographs of barium-coated small intestinal mucosa were obtained using a scanning electronmicroscope (x8,000), and the number of barium particles in the unit area were measured. To compare therelationship between the electron microscopic findings and optical densities, statistical analysis using Spearmancorrelation was performed.
RESULTS
With a Spearman coefficient of-0.544, correlation between the number of smallbarium particles of less than 1 micrometer and optical densities was statistically significant(p<0.05).
CONCLUSION
Thisstudy shows that by using scanning electron microscopy, barium particles coated on the small intestinal mucosa canbe qualitatively analysed. It also shows that the number of small barium particles measured by scanning electronmicroscopy is related to optical densities.

Keyword

Animals; Enteroclysis; Intestines, radiography

MeSH Terms

Animals
Barium*
Intestinal Mucosa*
Intestine, Small
Mammography
Methylcellulose
Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
Powders
Rabbits
Suspensions
Water
Barium
Methylcellulose
Powders
Suspensions
Water

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of barium suspension(X 8,000). Barium particles show variable size and shape, but most of them are less than 1 //m. Aggregations are rarely seen.

• 

  Fig. 2. A. SEM of group 1(X 8,000). Most of barium particles are large particles, and small barium particles are rarely seen. B. Radiography of group 1. A radiograph using mammographic technique shows aggregation of barium particles with reticular appearance. C. SEM of group 2(X 8,000). Compared to Fig. 2A, the number of small barium particles are increased. D. Radiography of group 2. Similar reticular patterns are also seen as in group 1. E. SEM of group 3(X 8,000). Small barium particles are densely coated. Particles vary in size and shape, and many particles are aggregated. F. Radiography of group 3. Due to a large amount of barium particles, mucosal details are not seen at all on this very radiopaque radiograph.

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