Radiographic, Hematologic and Biochemical Alterations in Peritoneal Fluid after Intraperitoneal Injection of Barium Sulfate and Gastrografin in Rabbit

Background: Evaluation of contrast-induced changes in the peritoneal area may reveal the effects of their permeation followed by gastrointestinal perforation. This study aims to compare the radiographic changes and hematological and biochemical parameters of peritoneal fluid and blood after intraperitoneal injection of barium sulfate and gastrografin to the rabbit.
Materials and Methods: In this clinical trial, 15 healthy male rabbits were randomly divided into 3 groups. Respectively to each group 10 ml/kg barium sulfate 30%, 10 ml/kg gastrografin, and 10 ml/kg saline was intraperitoneally injected. Before injection and 24 hours after injection, blood samples and peritoneal fluid were collected to measure glucose, total protein, WBC count and pH. Lateral and dorsal-ventral radiography was provided 20 min and 24 hours after contrast injection.
Results: After injection of barium sulfate, serum glucose decreased, cell count and blood neutrophil percentage increased, glucose and the percentage of peritoneal fluid lymphocytes decreased (p<0.05). The amount of total protein, cell count and peritoneal fluid neutrophil percentage increased (p<0.05). Gastrografin injection only increased peritoneal fluid total protein (p=0.04). Other blood factors and peritoneal fluid showed no significant changes. In radiographies, barium sulfate remained in abdominal area and rapid absorption of gastrografin was observed.
Conclusion: The use of gastrografin has fewer side effects than barium sulfate and is recommended in patients suspected with gastrointestinal perforation.