Barium sulfate suspension
Barium Sulfate Suspension
Barium sulfate suspension (pronunciation: BARE-ee-um SUL-fate) is a radiopaque agent used in medical imaging.
Etymology
The term originates from the chemical compound it is made from, namely barium and sulfate. Barium, from the Greek word "barys," meaning heavy, and sulfate, a salt or ester of sulfuric acid.
Usage
Barium sulfate suspension is used in a variety of medical imaging procedures, such as X-rays and computed tomography (CT) scans. It is ingested or administered rectally to help visualize the gastrointestinal tract during these procedures. The barium sulfate coats the inside of the organs, allowing them to appear more clearly on the images.
Related Terms
- Radiopaque: Substances that do not allow radiation to pass through and appear white or light on radiographic images.
- Gastrointestinal tract: The stomach and intestines; an area often examined using barium sulfate suspension.
- Computed tomography (CT): A type of imaging that uses special x-ray equipment to make cross-sectional pictures of the body.
- X-ray: A type of radiation used for imaging internal structures.
Side Effects
Like all medical procedures and substances, the use of barium sulfate suspension can have side effects. These can include stomach cramps, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. In rare cases, a patient may have an allergic reaction to the barium sulfate suspension.
Precautions
Patients should inform their healthcare provider if they have any allergies, are pregnant, or have any medical conditions such as asthma, cystic fibrosis, or heart disease before undergoing a procedure involving barium sulfate suspension.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Barium sulfate suspension
- Wikipedia's article - Barium sulfate suspension
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski