Barium meal
A barium meal is a procedure in which barium barium sulfate is ingested by a patient and, in conjunction with X-rays, images depicting the the distal esophagus, stomach and duodenum can be obtained digestive system. There are 2 varieties of barium meal, these being single and double contrast meals. A single contrast meal uses only barium to image the upper gastrointestinal (G.I.) tract while a double contrast meal uses barium as well as air. The double contrast meal has the advantage of demonstrating mucosal details and so is much more useful as a diagnostic test allowing the detection of small mucosal lesion.