Vaginal opacification during defecography: utility of placing a folded gauze square at the introitus

Abdom Imaging. 1999 Nov-Dec;24(6):562-4. doi: 10.1007/s002619900563.

Abstract

We evaluated the value of placement of a folded gauze square into the urogenital introitus to improve vaginal opacification in 90 patients who underwent defecography. Of the 50 patients who retained the gauze in the introitus, 96% demonstrated excellent or good vaginal opacification. By contrast, only 75% of the 40 patients who lost the gauze during the study were able to achieve the same level of opacification. This difference was shown to be statistically significant (p < 0.002), suggesting that placement of a folded gauze square in the introitus limits loss of contrast from the vagina, which improves vaginal opacification.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Barium Sulfate
  • Chi-Square Distribution
  • Contrast Media
  • Defecography*
  • Female
  • Hernia / diagnostic imaging
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Rectocele / diagnostic imaging
  • Urinary Bladder Diseases / diagnostic imaging
  • Vagina / diagnostic imaging*

Substances

  • Contrast Media
  • Barium Sulfate