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Reading pharmaceutical researchers have developed a way for barium sulphate to be administered orally to the colon. The researchers from University of Reading School of Pharmacy will release findings of their research work at the inaugural Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences Conference - UK PharmSci 2010 - The Science of Medicine, September 1-3. 

Barium sulphate is a contrast agent often used for imaging the bowel. It is currently only possible to administer to patients by enema, when imaging by fluoroscopy.  

Barium enemas can be distressing, embarrassing and uncomfortable for patients, but the study has found a way to coat the barium in order that patients can swallow it to alleviate these problems. 

Jackie Morris, from the research team, said they had developed a polymer shell for the barium so that after it was taken orally, it would pass through the body and the barium released within the colon for imaging. 

"Hopefully, this means barium enemas may soon be a thing of the past," Mrs Morris said."Barium imaging is very important and it is used to detect a number of illnesses such as inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn's Disease and cancers - so it would be a breakthrough to make the process less distressing for patients."