Barium X-Rays (Upper and Lower GI)
What are barium X-rays?
A barium X-ray is a radiographic (X-ray) examination of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Barium X-rays (also called upper and lower GI series) are used to diagnose abnormalities of the GI tract, such as tumors, ulcers and other inflammatory conditions, polyps, hernias, and strictures.
The use of barium with standard X-rays contributes to the visibility of various characteristics of the GI tract. Barium is a dry, white, chalky powder that is mixed with water to make barium liquid. Barium is an X-ray absorber and appears white on X-ray film. When instilled into the GI tract, barium coats the inside wall of the esophagus, stomach, large intestine, and/or small intestine so that the inside wall lining, size, shape, contour, and patency (openness) are visible on X-ray. This process shows differences that might not be seen on standard X-rays. Barium is used only for diagnostic studies of the GI tract.
In addition to drinking barium, air is often inserted into the bowel for a lower GI X-ray. For an upper GI X-ray, some patients may be given baking soda crystals (similar to Alka-Seltzer) to further improve the image. These types of procedure are called air-contrast or double-contrast GI studies.
Fluoroscopy is often used during a barium X-ray. Fluoroscopy is a study of moving body structures—similar to an X-ray "movie." A continuous X-ray beam is passed through the body part being examined, and is transmitted to a TV-like monitor so that the body part and its motion can be seen in detail. In a barium X-ray, fluoroscopy allows the radiologist to see the movement of the barium through the GI tract as it is instilled through the mouth or the rectum.
Why are barium X-rays performed?
Reasons for performing barium X-ray procedures may include the following:
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Abdominal pain
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Bleeding from the rectum
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Unexplained vomiting
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Bowel movement changes
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Chronic diarrhea or constipation
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Pain or difficulty swallowing
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Unexplained weight loss
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Unusual bloating
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To detect anatomical abnormalities
Additional procedures are often performed in addition to barium X-rays. These procedures may include endoscopic examinations (an endoscope is a thin, flexible tube that is inserted into a body cavity and, using fiberoptic technology, provides direct visualization of the inside of the cavity), computerized tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, and intra-cavity ultrasound.
What are the different types of barium X-ray procedures?
There are three types of barium X-ray procedures:
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Barium enema (also called lower GI series)
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Barium small-bowel follow through
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Barium swallow (also called upper GI series)
Barium enema |
What is a barium enema?
How is a barium enema performed?
These measures are done to empty the large intestine, as any residue (feces) can obscure the image. However, a barium enema may be done without preparation, for example, to diagnose Hirschsprung's disease. Barium enemas are performed in two ways:
Although each hospital may have specific protocols in place, generally, a barium enema procedure follows this process:
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Barium small-bowel follow through |
What is a barium small-bowel follow through?
How is a barium small-bowel follow through performed?
Although each hospital may have specific protocols in place, generally, a barium small-bowel procedure follows this process:
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Upper GI series |
What is an upper GI series?
How is an upper GI series/barium swallow performed?
Although each hospital may have specific protocols in place, generally, the procedure follows this process:
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