Barium sulfate suspension
Encyclopedia
Barium sulfate suspension is barium sulfate
(powder) turned into a liquid form by suspending it in a quick-flowing drink to aid in CT scans of the gastrointestinal region.
suspensions are provided by a radiologist in advance of a CT scan to allow for better computer tomography of the gastrointestinal tract
. The patient is instructed to take nothing by mouth
, which means to abstain from eating and drinking (fasting
), with the exception of drinking the barium sulfate suspension. The amount of time for this fast may vary, depending on the instructions given by the imaging facility and the area of the body to be scanned, but generally lasts for several hours prior to the scan. The patient generally skips one meal, along with abstaining from all liquids, clear or otherwise, during this time.
Consumption of the barium sulfate suspension begins 90 minutes to two hours prior to the CT scan, as instructed in the patient education provided. Consumption is paced, beginning two hours before the scan is to occur, with levels marked on the provided container indicating how much is to be consumed between each of the two hours prior to the test. A small portion of the suspension is reserved for the minutes just before the test, to ensure that as much of the gastrointestinal tract as possible is coated.
After the scan is complete, the patient is encouraged to eat and drink normally, with special attention to plenty of fluids. The barium sulfate is excreted through defecation
. Constipation
is a possible side effect.
. Liquid chalk, with a not too unpleasant medicinal taste, is more accurate. The suspension is homogeneous, perfectly smooth, and white in color - very much like the color of milk. The suspension is stored at room temperature (labels suggest 25°C), so "warm, thick milk" is a common description of the general weight and consistency of the drink.
The taste is generally considered unpleasant, but not unbearably repulsive, and is dependent on the exact makeup of the drink. Descriptions range from "poor tasting, very runny vanilla pudding
" to "mildly citrus, with a strong bitter aftertaste". In addition, the presence of the barium sulfate makes the drink have a mild acidic burning sensation. Because of the ease of the actual test, the paced two-hour consumption of the barium sulfate suspension is often considered the worst part of a CT scan.
and diarrhea
, beginning roughly 15 minutes after consumption begins. For some patients, especially those drinking the suspension for the first time, the effect of the drink on the bowels may be moderately severe, so some times the required fasting period is voluntarily started earlier than a single meal before the test to allow for less contents in the stomach and bowels. Some patients with more sensitive stomachs may choose to discuss alternatives to the barium sulfate suspension with their radiologist, but most patients find this common side effect more of an annoyance than a serious problem.
The diarrhea and nausea may persist throughout the day after the test is completed, but returning to a normal diet helps limit this as much as possible. Patients are strongly warned to avoid vomiting, as expelling a substantial quantity of the suspension may void its effect on the CT scan and produce unusable results, requiring a retest.
Other side effects are generally limited to headache
s.
Barium sulfate
Barium sulfate is the inorganic compound with the chemical formula BaSO4. It is a white crystalline solid that is odorless and insoluble in water. It occurs as the mineral barite, which is the main commercial source of barium and materials prepared from it...
(powder) turned into a liquid form by suspending it in a quick-flowing drink to aid in CT scans of the gastrointestinal region.
Use
Barium sulfateBarium sulfate
Barium sulfate is the inorganic compound with the chemical formula BaSO4. It is a white crystalline solid that is odorless and insoluble in water. It occurs as the mineral barite, which is the main commercial source of barium and materials prepared from it...
suspensions are provided by a radiologist in advance of a CT scan to allow for better computer tomography of the gastrointestinal tract
Gastrointestinal tract
The human gastrointestinal tract refers to the stomach and intestine, and sometimes to all the structures from the mouth to the anus. ....
. The patient is instructed to take nothing by mouth
Nil per os
Nil per os is a medical instruction meaning to withhold oral food and fluids from a patient for various reasons. It is a Latin phrase which translates as "nothing through the mouth". In the United Kingdom it is translated as nil by mouth .Typical reasons for NPO instructions are the prevention...
, which means to abstain from eating and drinking (fasting
Fasting
Fasting is primarily the act of willingly abstaining from some or all food, drink, or both, for a period of time. An absolute fast is normally defined as abstinence from all food and liquid for a defined period, usually a single day , or several days. Other fasts may be only partially restrictive,...
), with the exception of drinking the barium sulfate suspension. The amount of time for this fast may vary, depending on the instructions given by the imaging facility and the area of the body to be scanned, but generally lasts for several hours prior to the scan. The patient generally skips one meal, along with abstaining from all liquids, clear or otherwise, during this time.
Consumption of the barium sulfate suspension begins 90 minutes to two hours prior to the CT scan, as instructed in the patient education provided. Consumption is paced, beginning two hours before the scan is to occur, with levels marked on the provided container indicating how much is to be consumed between each of the two hours prior to the test. A small portion of the suspension is reserved for the minutes just before the test, to ensure that as much of the gastrointestinal tract as possible is coated.
After the scan is complete, the patient is encouraged to eat and drink normally, with special attention to plenty of fluids. The barium sulfate is excreted through defecation
Defecation
Defecation is the final act of digestion by which organisms eliminate solid, semisolid or liquid waste material from the digestive tract via the anus. Waves of muscular contraction known as peristalsis in the walls of the colon move fecal matter through the digestive tract towards the rectum...
. Constipation
Constipation
Constipation refers to bowel movements that are infrequent or hard to pass. Constipation is a common cause of painful defecation...
is a possible side effect.
Taste and texture
Barium sulfate suspensions could be described as having the consistency of a very thick glass of milk, or a very thin milkshakeMilkshake
A milkshake is a sweet, cold beverage which is made from milk, ice cream or iced milk, and flavorings or sweeteners such as fruit syrup or chocolate sauce....
. Liquid chalk, with a not too unpleasant medicinal taste, is more accurate. The suspension is homogeneous, perfectly smooth, and white in color - very much like the color of milk. The suspension is stored at room temperature (labels suggest 25°C), so "warm, thick milk" is a common description of the general weight and consistency of the drink.
The taste is generally considered unpleasant, but not unbearably repulsive, and is dependent on the exact makeup of the drink. Descriptions range from "poor tasting, very runny vanilla pudding
Pudding
Pudding most often refers to a dessert, but it can also be a savory dish.In the United States, pudding characteristically denotes a sweet milk-based dessert similar in consistency to egg-based custards, though it may also refer to other types such as bread and rice pudding.In the United Kingdom and...
" to "mildly citrus, with a strong bitter aftertaste". In addition, the presence of the barium sulfate makes the drink have a mild acidic burning sensation. Because of the ease of the actual test, the paced two-hour consumption of the barium sulfate suspension is often considered the worst part of a CT scan.
Side effects
Possible side effects are nauseaNausea
Nausea , is a sensation of unease and discomfort in the upper stomach with an involuntary urge to vomit. It often, but not always, precedes vomiting...
and diarrhea
Diarrhea
Diarrhea , also spelled diarrhoea, is the condition of having three or more loose or liquid bowel movements per day. It is a common cause of death in developing countries and the second most common cause of infant deaths worldwide. The loss of fluids through diarrhea can cause dehydration and...
, beginning roughly 15 minutes after consumption begins. For some patients, especially those drinking the suspension for the first time, the effect of the drink on the bowels may be moderately severe, so some times the required fasting period is voluntarily started earlier than a single meal before the test to allow for less contents in the stomach and bowels. Some patients with more sensitive stomachs may choose to discuss alternatives to the barium sulfate suspension with their radiologist, but most patients find this common side effect more of an annoyance than a serious problem.
The diarrhea and nausea may persist throughout the day after the test is completed, but returning to a normal diet helps limit this as much as possible. Patients are strongly warned to avoid vomiting, as expelling a substantial quantity of the suspension may void its effect on the CT scan and produce unusable results, requiring a retest.
Other side effects are generally limited to headache
Headache
A headache or cephalalgia is pain anywhere in the region of the head or neck. It can be a symptom of a number of different conditions of the head and neck. The brain tissue itself is not sensitive to pain because it lacks pain receptors. Rather, the pain is caused by disturbance of the...
s.