barium

Examples of barium in the following topics:

• X-Ray Studies of the GI Tract

  • The second drink is a contrast agent, typically a thick, chalky liquid containing barium salt.
  • (This test is sometimes called a barium swallow. ) The barium outlines the stomach on the X-rays, helping the doctor find tumors or other abnormal areas.
  • Patients may feel nauseated immediately after drinking the barium.
  • Patients may eat normally after the procedure, but it is important to drink a lot of water to assist in flushing the barium through the body more easily.
  • This x-ray after barium swallow shows the effects of eosinophilic esophagitis.

• Polyps in the Colon

  • Common screening methods are digital rectal examination (DRE), sigmoidoscopy (usually using a flexible endoscope, but, more rarely, using a rigid endoscope), lower gastrointestinal series (barium enema), colonoscopy, and virtual colonoscopy .

• Peptic Ulcer Disease

  • Confirmation of the diagnosis is made with the help of tests such as endoscopies or barium contrast x-rays.

• Occult Blood

  • In the event of a positive fecal occult blood test, the next step in the workup is a form of visualization of the gastrointestinal tract by one of several means: sigmoidoscopy, an examination of the rectum and lower colon with a lighted instrument to look for abnormalities, such as polyps; colonoscopy, a more thorough examination of the rectum and entire colon; virtual colonoscopy; endoscopy refers to upper gastrointestinal endoscopy sometimes performed with chromoendoscopy; and double contrast barium enema: a series of X-rays of the colon and rectum.

• Medical Imaging

  • Contrast media, such as barium, iodine, and air are used to visualize internal organs.