Objective:

To investigate the feasibility of ultrasound colonography (USC) in depicting healthy colon and rectum.

Methods:

Standard bowel preparation was performed on eight healthy volunteers. Ultrasonography was used to observe the retained fecal material

the colonic gas and the luminal distention of different segments of colon and rectum (cecal-ascending

transverse colon

descending colon

sigmoid colon and rectum). The segments that met the following requirements were allowed to undergo USC: without retained fecal material or gas

and with well distention. The feasibility and imaging quality (grade 1 poor;grade 2moderate; grade 3

well) of USC in different segments were evaluated.

Results:

Four (50.00%) cecal-ascending clons

3 (37.50%) transverse colons

8 (100%) descending colons

sigmoid colon and rectum were performed USC examinations

respectively. For USC image quality

1 (25.00%)

2 (50.00%) and 1 (25.00%) cecal-ascending colons were ranked as grade 1

grade 2 and grade 3

respectively; 3 (100%) transverse colons were ranked as grade 2; 6 (75.00%) and 2 (25.00%) descending colons were ranked as grade 2 and grade 3

respectively; 8 (100%) sigmoid colons and rectums were ranked as grade 3.

Conclusion:

Sigmoid colon and rectum are well depicted while most descending colons are moderately depicted. Only some of cecal-ascending and transverse colons are able to undergo USC

and show various conspicuities.