Purpose : To compare modified small bowel follow-through (SBFT) using methylcellulose after the administration of barium suspension with a conventional series. Materials and Methods : In order to evaluate small bowel pathology, modified SBFT was performed in 155 patients during a 15 month period. All patients received 600mL of methylcellulose ; 98 had taken 250mL of 40% wt/vol barium suspension and 57 had taken 150mL of 70% barium. For the group of 98, the barium suspension was prepared by mixing barium powder with water (n=46) or with methylcellulose in(n=52). For comparison with a modified series, 49 patients who underwent conventional SBFT using 500mL of 40% wt/vol barium were also included. Image quality was rated by three radiologists as "poor", "fair", "good", or"excellent". We analyzed the relationship between image quality, transit time and small bowel pathology; the sensitivity and specificity of each technique was also determined. Results : Among the four techniques, modified SBFT with 250mL of 40% wt/vol barium suspension, prepared by mixing barium powder with methylcellulose, showed the best image quality ["excellent" result in 33 of the 52 patients (63%)] and shortest transit time to the cecum. The high image quality of this technique was not affected by the presence of small bowel pathology; its use resulted in the lowest incidence and slowest development of flocculation. The sensitivity (91-95%) of the three modified SBFT procedures was superior to that of a conventional series(76%), but there was no difference in specificity. Conclusion : Modified SBFT using methylcellulose after administering barium suspension with barium powder as a mixing agent is a simple technique. Its use easily improves the image quality and diagnostic accuracy of peroral SBFT.e quality and diagnostic accuracy of peroral SBFT.