New barium paste mixture for helical (slip-ring) CT evaluation of the esophagus

Successful opacification of the lumen of the esophagus with cancer or paraesophageal diseases has not yet been fully achieved. Therefore, we have recently adopted a new method for complete and continuous opacification of the whole thoracic esophagus using our newly developed oral contrast agent with a helical (slip-ring) CT scanner. The agent consists of 3.6 (wt/vol)% carboxy-methyl cellulose sodium paste containing 2 (wt/vol)% barium sulfate. The results indicate that almost complete and continuous opacification of esophageal lumen was achieved. Our new method of esophageal CT is easy to perform and was well tolerated by patients, being therefore ideal for routine examinations.