Aortoiliac segment examination with colour flow Duplex--a pilot study using Klean Prep. to improve the image quality.

Abstract

Currently colour flow Duplex examination of the iliac arteries is at best 84-92% sensitive. In an attempt to find a technique to improve on this sensitivity we have studied the effect of Klean Prep, an iso-osmotic bowel preparation, on the Duplex image and Doppler signal obtained when scanning iliac arteries. Twenty iliac segments in 10 arteriopaths were scanned by a blinded observer, after either starving for 12 h or having Klean Prep bowel preparation. Grey scale image, colour mapping and Doppler signal to noise ratios were scored on a linear analogue system. Each patient was subsequently rescanned after the other method of preparation and was once again scored by a blinded observer. The two sets of scores were then compared. We found significant improvements in the linear analogue scoring of grey scale images, colour mapping and Doppler signal to noise ratios, when using Klean Prep as opposed to starving the patient prescan. Preparing patients with Klean Prep before iliac Duplex examination improves the visualisation of these arteries.