Density of Barium Mixtures

Early in the evolution of double contrast GI studies, the original barium sulfate suspensions failed to coat the mucosa, while a thick layer of barium only served to obscure the small surface structures of the stomach. The present high density/high fluidity suspension barium allows a thin layer of barium to flow along the stomach walls and coat the mucosal surface, while giving sufficient density for detailed radiographic images.

The density of barium is expressed in terms of WEIGHT/WEIGHT or WEIGHT/VOLUME (a percentage of the weight of barium related to the weight or volume of the suspension).

w/w = weight in grams/weight (100 g of product)

w/v  = weight in grams/volume (100 mL)

 

Weight/Weight

• indicates the number of grams of active ingredient present in 100 g of product
  used for powered barium
  
  e.g. in a 85% w/w product there are 85 g of barium in 100 g of powder
   

Weight/Volume

• w/v the number of grams of active ingredient found in a volume of 100 cc
  used for liquid barium
  
  e.g. in a 250% w/v (high density) product:
  
  - there are 250 g of barium sulfate in a volume of 100 mL
  - typically a cup of product contains 135 mL of solution
  - therefore, the total number of grams of barium sulfate is 337 g