Subjects were instructed to fast for 4 hours prior to the study. Upon arrival, they were randomized to receive either erythromycin lactobionate (Hospira, Lake Forest, Il) at a dose of 3 mg/kg intravenously or matched placebo (sodium chloride [0.9%]). To minimize venous irritation, erythromycin was given as a bolus of 0.5 mg/kg over 10 min followed by an infusion of 2.5 mg/kg in 5% dextrose solution over the next 50 min.
Oral contrast (1350 ml) was ingested over 45 minutes beginning 25 minutes after erythromycin was started. Since erythromycin was given over 60 minutes, the oral contrast was completely ingested 10 minutes after the erythromycin infusion was completed. A low concentration barium solution (VoLumen (1350 ml), Bracco Diagnostics, Monroe Township, NJ), which contains 0.1% weight/volume barium and 2% sorbitol, was used to provide oral contrast. This agent is FDA-approved for use in CT and is widely used for CT and MR enterography in the United States. Its use in MR is considered an off-labeled use. This agent has been shown to provide better small bowel distention than water in the upper and lower abdomen [12 (link)]. Sorbitol, available commercially as a sweetening agent, is a sugar alcohol that promotes peristalsis and is a mild osmotic laxative [13 (link)].
Oral contrast (1350 ml) was ingested over 45 minutes beginning 25 minutes after erythromycin was started. Since erythromycin was given over 60 minutes, the oral contrast was completely ingested 10 minutes after the erythromycin infusion was completed. A low concentration barium solution (VoLumen (1350 ml), Bracco Diagnostics, Monroe Township, NJ), which contains 0.1% weight/volume barium and 2% sorbitol, was used to provide oral contrast. This agent is FDA-approved for use in CT and is widely used for CT and MR enterography in the United States. Its use in MR is considered an off-labeled use. This agent has been shown to provide better small bowel distention than water in the upper and lower abdomen [12 (link)]. Sorbitol, available commercially as a sweetening agent, is a sugar alcohol that promotes peristalsis and is a mild osmotic laxative [13 (link)].