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:
Which portion of the large intestine is demonstrated on the PA projection?Positioning LGI. Which aspect of the large intestine is best demonstrated with an AP axial projection?Lower GI Positioning. Which region of the large intestine must be visualized during an Evacuative Proctogram study?Bontrager ch 13 self test questions. Which two structures of the large intestine are demonstrated primarily with the PA oblique projection Lao position?Both colic flexures should be seen with the Pa axial projection. for the PA oblique projection, RAO position, the patient should be rotated 35 to 45 degrees from the prone postion. Both colic flexures should be seen in the RAO position image.
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