Milk may outperform barium as GI contrast medium

June 25, 2008 Milk may outperform barium as GI contrast medium H. A. Abella -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Researchers have found that whole milk is as effective a contrast agent as the standard barium suspension given orally to patients undergoing CT of the gastrointestinal tract. Barium cannot compete with milk in cost or taste. Optimal GI imaging depends on adequate bowel distention. High-attenuation oral contrast media, such as iodine or barium solutions, are used frequently for this purpose on multislice CT exams. Results can be often disappointing, however. Researchers have turned to multiple low-attenuation alternatives, including water, soluble fat, and even air, but these have proved suboptimal, too expensive, or unacceptable to patients.

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