Barium Faecal tagging

Faecal tagging is performed with a 40% weight/ volume barium suspension (Tagitol V , E-Z-EM). The patients only have to drink a total of 60 ml 20 ml at breakfast, lunch and dinner respectively. The patients are instructed to drink the barium at once after the meal. 

Last but not least, Pickhardt et al. (2003) obtained tbe best results of polyp detection to date with virtual colonoscopy in a large cohort of 1233 asymptomatic patients. The day before CT colonography they combined a clear liquid diet with a double dose of oral sodium phosphate and two bisacodyl tablets. Faecal tagging was performed with 2x250 ml of a 2.1% w/v barium suspension and 60 ml of Gas-trografin. Excellent results of polyp detection were obtained. 

Callstrom et al. (2001) performed laxative-free CT colonography without dietary restrictions in 58 patients. Faecal tagging was obtained with a combination of iodine and barium administered over one or two days. The best results of tagging were obtained by combining 6x225 ml of a 2.1% w/v barium suspension and 1x225 ml dilute diatrizoate meglumine and diatrizoate sodium. All residue with a density >150 H.U. was electronically labelled. In that way a 100% sensitivity for lesions >1 cm was obtained (5/5 lesions). 

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