What general types of contrast agents are used in gastrointestinal fluoroscopic studies?
Barium sulfate is the standard oral contrast agent used for routine gastrointestinal fluoroscopic studies. More viscous suspensions are used for double-contrast (air and oral contrast) studies, whereas less viscous suspensions are used for single-contrast (oral contrast only) studies. When gastrointestinal tract perforation is suspected, a water-soluble contrast agent such as Gastrografin is instead utilized to prevent barium peritonitis, although it is contraindicated when there is a risk of aspiration because it may induce acute pulmonary edema.
