[A new cellulose-barium gel for computed tomography of the esophagus].

A new oral contrast agent for CT of the esophagus was evaluated for its ability to coat the esophageal lumen in 12 patients with esophageal diseases. This agent is made of carboxymethyl cellulose sodium, potato starch and low-density barium, and has remarkably high viscosity of 13600 centipoise. The esophagus was divided into proximal, mid, and distal segments to analyze the effectiveness of lumenal opacification. The average percent opacification of these segments was 78.7, 86.4, and 63.4%, respectively, for all patients. This agent is expected to play a possible role in the CT diagnosis of esophageal cancer by helping to determine the indications for radical surgery and/or radiotherapy.