A comparison of barium sulphate preparations used for the double contrast barium meal.

Radiologists' opinions of the properties of six barium suspensions with their recommended gas-producing agents designed for upper gastrointestinal use were assessed, using a linear analogue scale. Five radiologists independently assessed mucosal coating of stomach and duodenum, areae gastricae, gaseous distension and bubble formation in a total of 258 patient examinations. Preparation 1 (EZHD) was judged to give best overall results, coating stomach and duodenum particularly well. Preparation 2 (X-Opaque) gave good distension and also coated mucosa fairly well, as did preparations 3 and 4 (Medebar XAC and Field 2C). The latter two preparations produced good distension at the expense of bubble formation. Preparations 5 and 6 (Micropaque DC and Baritop G) were judged, by comparison, to have performed poorly as regards mucosal coating. None of the preparations delineated areae gastricae well, even in the presence of good, bubble-free gastric distension.