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Fluoroscopy is a form of diagnostic radiology that is done with special equipment that enables the radiologist to visualize the organ or area of concern in real time and motion, most times with the aid of a contrast agent. This contrast agent allows the image to be viewed clearly on a television monitor. Contrast agents (or "contrast media" as they are also known) may be introduced into the body, usually through drinking or an enema.
Preparations:
- Barium Enema (BE)
- Upper Gastrointestinal Series (Upper GI), Barium Swallow (Esophogram), Small Bowel follow through
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Barium Enema (BE)
A barium enema involves filling the large intestine with diluted barium liquid while x-ray images are being taken. Barium enemas are used to diagnose disorders of the large intestine, colon and rectum, such as colonic tumors, polyps, diverticula and unexplained weight loss or anemia.
Please follow the preparations below prior to undergoing the enema:
- Obtain Fleet BE prep kit #1 from DIS or your referring physician’s office at least one day prior to your exam. (Be sure you allow enough time to complete the 24-hour or 18-hour prep.) The prep kits are available at our office at no charge.
- Carefully and completely follow the instructions in the kit for a 24-hour prep. If time does not permit, you may follow the 18-hour prep, however, the 24-hour prep is recommended.
- Do not eat solid food for 24 hours leading up to the exam.
- You may have sips of water and your regular medication the morning of the test if no other test is scheduled.
Upper Gastrointestinal series (Upper GI), Barium swallow (Esophogram) or Small Bowel follow through
These tests require two different densities of barium drinks and effervescent granules, taken with a small amount of water. The radiodense barium allows the examination of the function and the anatomical lining of the esophagus, stomach, and proximal small intestine i.e. the duodenum. A barium swallow study is a variant of the UGI in which the patient's swallowing mechanism, pharynx, and esophagus are the focus of the study. A small bowel follow-through is a continuation of a UGI whereby the entire small bowel is examined. In all the studies above, the patient swallows the barium which then lines or "paints" the walls of the structures desired. The gas crystals are used to create air and help distend the structures to allow more precise images.
The necessary preparations are listed below:
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Do not eat or drink anything prior to your exam, starting at midnight the night before your exam.
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Do not schedule any other barium exams for three days prior to your exam.
