A comparison of dilute barium and dilute water-soluble contrast in opacification of the bowel for abdominal computed tomography.

Dilute barium was compared with dilute water-soluble contrast medium as an oral preparation for abdominal computed tomography (CT). Patients generally preferred the barium to the water-soluble contrast medium. Both preparations opacified the bowel satisfactorily. Barium caused no streaking artefacts. Dilute barium is the preparation of choice for abdominal CT.