Barium Enema
View other tests
What is the
test?
A barium enema is an x-ray test used to examine
the lower digestive tract (the colon and rectum).
Because the colon and rectum are normally not
visible on x-rays, you need to temporarily coat
their inner surfaces with barium, a liquid that
does show up on x-rays. This makes the outline
of these organs visible on the x-ray pictures.
This test is useful for diagnosing cancers and
diverticuli (small pouches that may form in the
intestinal wall).
Back to top >
How
do I prepare for the test?
Tell your doctor if there is any chance you
might be pregnant. If you have diabetes and take
insulin, discuss this with your doctor before
the test.
You will be given very specific instructions
to ensure that your colon is completely empty
before the test. You may be told to eat only
a light breakfast and a liquid lunch and dinner
(such as broth, fruit juice, or plain gelatin)
on the day before the test. You may also be instructed
to drink a large amount of clear liquid between
meals and to avoid dairy products. You will need
to take a laxative, a medicine that stimulates
your intestine to move things through more quickly,
so that you have a bowel movement to empty the
colon. It is a good idea to stay at home or at
least near a bathroom for a few hours after taking
the laxative. On the day of the test, do not
eat any breakfast.
Back to top >
What
happens when the test is performed?
You wear a hospital gown and lie on a table
in the radiology department. To administer the
enema, a nurse pushes a small tube an inch or
two into your rectum, and then uses this tube
to fill your colon and rectum with barium liquid.
You may find the sensation of the filling of
your colon somewhat strange (you might feel like
you need to have a bowel movement), but it is
not painful.
The x-ray for this test is taken as a video that
begins immediately after your enema is started.
The x-ray video is taken by a large camera positioned
over your abdomen. Usually the room is darkened
while the video is taken so that the doctor can
watch the pictures on a TV screen. If the doctor
wants to save a view in "freeze frame" (developed
later for a closer look), you may be asked to
hold your breath for a few seconds so that your
breathing movement does not blur the image. A
few more pictures may be taken after the lights
are turned back on. After this, you are asked
to empty your bowel in a nearby bathroom.
Usually one picture is taken of your abdomen
after you have had your bowel movement, to make
sure that the bowel has emptied well.
Back to top >
What
risks are there from the test?
There are no significant risks. You will be
exposed to a small amount of radiation during
the test. The amount of radiation from a barium
enema is larger than from a simple chest x-ray,
but still very small — too small to be
likely to cause any harm.
Back to top >
Must
I do anything special after the test is over?
In some cases, if some stool was still present
in your colon despite your preparation the day
before, the test must be repeated.
Back to top >
How
long is it before the result of the test is
known?
It takes the x-ray department 30 minutes to
an hour to develop the pictures from your barium
enema, and it will take additional time for a
doctor to examine the x-rays and to decide how
they look. Typically you can get the results
within a day or two.
Back to top >
View
other test |
HOME
MY
CART
