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. Reasons for performing barium X-ray procedures may include the following: Abdominal pain Bleeding from the rectum Unexplained vomiting Bowel movement changes Chronic diarrhea or
constipation Pain or difficulty swallowing Unexplained weight loss Unusual bloating 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:
What are the two types of contrast media used in double contrast procedures?There are two types of contrast media, negative contrast media (more radiolucent than surrounding tissues) and positive contrast media (more radiopaque). They achieve this difference by absorbing less or more respectively of the incident radiation than do the surrounding tissues.
Which of the following are advantages of using double contrast technique for examination of the stomach?Test Question. Which of the following contrast media are used for examinations of the gastrointestinal tract?Barium sulfate can be used as a single contrast agent in the gastrointestinal tract; it can also be used for positive contrast in studies that use air for negative contrast (double-contrast examinations).
What is the purpose of using glucagon during the double contrast examination?With the use of glucagon to decrease gastric peristalsis, it is pos- sible to obtain better double-contrast views of the antrum and body of the stomach in a relaxed, hypotonic state.
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