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Gastrointestinal exams are special x-rays of the upper and lower digestive
system. The upper GI series evaluates the esophagus and stomach, the
small bowel series evaluates the small intestine, and the barium enema,
or lower GI series, evaluates the colon. Each exam requires the use
of a special contrast agent – usually barium – that coats
the digestive tract and makes it stand out from surrounding body tissues
on the x-ray images.
Tell your doctor if you are, or suspect you might be pregnant.
If you are scheduled for an upper GI or small bowel series, you should
not eat or drink anything for six hours prior to the exam. If you
are scheduled for a barium enema, you will be given a "prep kit"
to take the day before the exam. This kit contains diet instructions
and laxatives. Please follow these instructions carefully.
If you are scheduled for an upper GI series, a registered technologist
will take you into a fluoroscopy room – a room with special
equipment which allows the radiologist to watch the exam on a TV monitor.
You will be given a packet of effervescent granules to swallow with
a small amount of water. These granules release gas into your stomach.
You will then be given a cup of a liquid (barium) to drink. The radiologist
will monitor the passage of the barium throughout your upper gastrointestinal
tract, taking multiple "spot" films. The technologist will
then take a number of additional x-ray films. This procedure takes
approximately thirty minutes.
If you are scheduled for a small bowel series, x-ray films will
be taken at fifteen minute intervals to record the passage of the
barium throughout the small intestine. The average time for this
exam is ninety minutes, although it can take longer.
If you are scheduled for a barium enema, the technologist will take
you into a fluoroscopy room and insert an enema tip into your rectum.
Barium will then be allowed to flow into your colon, causing you to
feel somewhat uncomfortable. The radiologist will observe the flow
of the barium throughout your colon with the fluoroscope, taking multiple
"spot" films. The technologist will take a number of additional
x-ray films, and then you will be allowed to evacuate the barium.
An "air contrast" barium enema is similar, except that a
smaller amount of barium is used to coat, rather than fill, the colon.
Air is injected to finish distending the colon. This procedure takes
about thirty minutes.
After your gastrointestinal exam, you may resume your normal activities,
diet, and medications unless instructed otherwise by the technologist
or your doctor. You may notice a whitish tinge to your stools for
several days as you continue to evacuate the barium from your gastrointestinal
tract. Drink extra fluids to help remove the barium from your system
unless instructed otherwise by your doctor.
Your examination will be reviewed by the radiologist after the exam has been completed. If you choose OnSite Results, your preliminary results will be given to you before you leave our office. Your physician will be sent a detailed final report by fax or mail.
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