A barium enema is an x-ray examination of the colon and rectum to find abnormalities such as polyps, diverticulosis, cancer, or inflammatory disease.
Liquid barium is administered through a small tube inserted into the rectum. In case of an air-contrast or double-contrast barium enema, the added air improves the evaluation of the lining of the large intestine.
Barium enemas require a bowel preparation with laxatives, starting one day before the examination.

See also Colonoscopy and Virtual Colonoscopy.

Virtual colonoscopy provides a less invasive option to conventional polyp detection in the large intestine (colon and rectum). A virtual colonoscopy is a synthesis of a computed tomography (CT) scan, digital processing and virtual reality computer software.
A virtual colonoscopy is less invasive and more comfortable for patients than either conventional colonoscopy or a barium enema. No sedation is required and the examination takes less than 30 minutes.
A CT colonography offers a new option for a total colon evaluation and cancer detection and has the potential to be used for screening. A problem is the amount of information captured in a CT exam. Reviewing these images can be time-consuming and challenging.

See also Computed Tomography Enterography.

Barium sulfate (BaSO4) is an inert and insoluble white powder with high density. Barium belongs chemically to the group of heavy metals. Mixed with water and additional ingredients (e.g., sweetening agents), barium sulfate is the preferred positive contrast agent for abdominal x-ray and computed tomography examinations. The extremely low solubility of barium sulfate protects patients from absorbing harmful amounts of the metal (water soluble metal compounds are often highly toxic). The high density in x-ray examinations is related to the high atomic number, since large nuclei absorb x-rays much better than smaller nuclei.
Barium sulfate agents for opacification of the gastrointestinal tract are not absorbed or metabolized and are resistant to dilution. These contrast agents are opaque white suspensions and usually swallowed or administered as an enema. They provide better delineation of mucosal details and are less expensive than water-soluble iodinated contrast media. The elimination rate is a function of gastrointestinal transit time. After GI application, it leaves the body with the feces.

Contraindications of barium sulfate products in case of known or suspected:

Tomocat® is a concentrated strawberry flavored barium sulfate suspension. Tomocat® can be used as an oral or rectal (colon) contrast medium for computed tomography of the gastrointestinal tract. The quantity and the barium sulfate concentration will depend upon examination, used technique, clinical needs and patient size.