A comparison of three methods for performing barium follow-through studies of the small intestine.

Domperidone 8 mg intravenously and metoclopramide 10 mg intravenously, in patients given a standard barium sulphate preparation, were compared with a rapid-transit barium (E-Z-Paque, E-Z-Em) in a double-blind random controlled manner. E-Z-Paque and metoclopramide given with a standard barium preparation decreased small-bowel transit time and resulted in fewer radiographs being taken. Gastric emptying occurred most rapidly with metoclopramide and a standard barium sulphate preparation. There was no significant difference in the quality or diagnostic accuracy of the examinations with any of the three techniques, and no difference in the incidence of side-effects with the two drugs.