Low-osmolar contrast media, such as GE Healthcare 's Omnipaque (Iohexol), make effective oral contrast agents for abdominal CT scans concluded a technical note written by a team of physicians from Johns Hopkins Medical and published in the March/April 2008 edition of the Journal of Computed Assisted Tomography.

"It [Low-osmolar contrast media] is relatively non-absorbable and of low risk to the patient if aspirated," according to the technical note. "It can be easily titrated to create the desired density. It is water-soluble and of low viscosity which permits uniform distribution. It does not precipitate out of the solution, as do other agents. It is inert and can be readily and completely eliminated. Lastly, it is almost tasteless and well tolerated by patients..."

"HOCM [High Osmolar Contrast Media] draws a large amount of water from the blood and body tissues into the intestinal lumen that can cause shifts of ?uid and can result in dehydration, especially in infants and children," the note continued. "It can also result in undesired dilution of the contrast agent.5 If aspirated, these HOCM can cause life-threatening pulmonary edema.2,6 High-osmolar contrast medium can also cause mild-severe GI complaints (nausea, vomiting, cramps, and diarrhea), especially at high concentrations."

These findings are important, said Ciro Maria, Omnipaque CT Brand Manager for GE Healthcare. "Omnipaque is reported to be well tolerated by patients and has a neutral taste making it a good alternative for when an oral iodinated contrast medium is required."

Omnipaque is the only low-osmolar contrast medium available with an oral indication in the United States.