Zantac Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Zantac, including details on ranitidine, side-effects, allergic reactions, information.

Single dose oral ranitidine improves MRCP image quality: a double-blind study.

Bowes MT, Martin DF, Melling A, Roberts D, Laasch HU, Sukumar S, Morris J

South Manchester University Hospitals NHS Trust, Wythenshawe, Manchester, UK.

AIM: To investigate the possibility of whether a single 300 mg dose of ranitidine given orally 2-3h before magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) could reduce the signal from the stomach and duodenum, and thus increase the conspicuousness of the biliary tree. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-five volunteers (22 female, 13 male), (age range 21-50) were underwent MRCP in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, crossover trial on a Philips Intera 1.5 T machine using a phased array surface coil. Imaging was carried out in the coronal oblique plane. Six 40 mm sections were acquired at varying angles to delineate the biliary tree and pancreatic duct. The 70 examinations were blindly scored by three consultants experienced in cholangiography. RESULTS: After ranitidine administration there was a significant decrease in signal from the stomach (mean=17.7, p=0.0005, CI 10, 25.3) and duodenum (mean=18.4, p=0.0005, 95%CI 9.6, 27.1) with a significant increase in conspicuousness of the distal common duct (mean=7.7, p=0.033, 95%CI 0.7, 14.7) and proximal common duct (mean=8.7, p=0.010 CI 2.2, 15.2). There were no adverse effects. CONCLUSION: Oral ranitidine is a cheap and effective agent to decrease signal from the upper gastrointestinal tract and to improve visibility of the biliary tree.

Published 5 December 2006 in Clin Radiol, 62(1): 53-7.
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