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.
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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
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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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