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Health

Barium X-ray: preparation, what it shows

, medical expert
Last reviewed: 03.07.2025
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X-ray examination is based on the fact that human tissues of different densities absorb the rays emitted by the X-ray tube differently. Calcium, which is part of the bones, does this best; they appear white in the image; connective tissues, muscles, and fat do a slightly worse job – they have a gray tint; organs filled with air are black. In order to improve the visualization of the hollow organs of the abdominal cavity, contrast agents are used that can absorb X-rays, one of which is barium sulfate. [ 1 ]

Indications for the procedure

Barium is used for X-ray examination of the gastrointestinal tract. It allows to detect various pathologies, which are manifested by the following symptoms:

  • pain in the epigastrium;
  • severe and regular heartburn;
  • belching with a sour taste;
  • the presence of blood fragments in feces, mucus;
  • frequent bowel disorders;
  • incomplete bowel movement;
  • sudden weight loss.

Preparation

Conducting an X-ray with a contrast agent requires certain preparation. Three days before the procedure, you must be especially careful about your diet, excluding foods that promote gas formation: cabbage, legumes, raw vegetables and fruits, whole milk; give up alcohol and smoking.

It is best to eat dietary prepared dishes, give preference to broths, mashed soups, fruit juices without bright colors, and stop eating altogether 12 hours before. The procedure is preceded by the consumption of a suspension of barium sulfate diluted with water.

In some cases, preliminary gastric lavage or intestinal cleansing with an enema is required.

Technique barium X-ray

Depending on which organ is being examined, the technique for performing the procedure is determined. When examining the esophagus and stomach, as a rule, a survey X-ray of their walls is first taken, after which several sips of prepared barium are given and a primary target image is taken. It allows for a better view of their relief.

Next, you need to drink the entire drink (for adults up to 300 ml, for children - 100 ml). The doctor can massage the epigastric region to help the substance distribute evenly throughout the stomach.

The radiologist takes a picture of the patient lying on his back, side, with the pelvis raised, or standing.

X-ray of the esophagus with barium

The esophagus is examined in case of swallowing disorders, chest pains of unknown origin, foreign body ingress, suspected hernia. The procedure is performed standing with the patient absolutely motionless. The moment of swallowing the solution and complete filling of the organ is assessed. The image is very informative and allows to identify many pathologies, and also assesses the patency of the esophagus, the elasticity of its walls, the nature of the contours, etc.

Barium X-ray of the intestines

The examination of the intestines takes place in several stages. The patient is asked to drink half a liter of barium suspension, if double contrast is necessary, air or inert gas is also supplied through a tube. The procedure is preceded by a 2-hour wait, this is how long it takes for the contrast agent to reach the small intestine. The radiologist takes a series of images in different body positions. After defecation, one last control image is taken.

What do they allow you to see? The film shows the intestinal mucosa, its relief, traces the dynamics of barium movement, i.e. its motility is determined, inflamed areas, neoplasms, diverticula, ulcerative processes, and absorption disorders are identified.

X-ray of the colon with barium

X-ray of the colon with barium is prescribed to confirm the following diagnoses: colitis, appendicitis, intestinal obstruction, tumor, interintestinal abscess, etc. The day before, the patient drinks a glass of solution; no other preparation is required.

Often, another procedure is performed in parallel - irrigoscopy, during which barium is introduced using an enema. First, the intestines are cleaned to clean water, dinner and breakfast the day before are canceled. The enema solution is heated to 35 0 C, its volume is 1.5-2 liters.

The procedure is very unpleasant, there is an urge to defecate, painful spasms, a feeling of distension. Doctors recommend breathing deeply through the mouth and enduring, otherwise all efforts may be in vain. For better distribution of the coloring substance in the intestines, it is necessary to change positions with photo fixation of the organ. After emptying the intestines, another control picture is taken.

This method allows examining the rectum and anus. It shows the shape of the organ, its extensibility, patency, location, elasticity.

X-ray with barium for a child

X-rays with contrast for children are performed in emergency cases in case of suspected abnormal development of organs or ingestion of a foreign object. Barium is not used in the first months of a child's life due to the radiation load of the substance. Its role is performed by fat- or water-soluble drugs.

Contraindications to the procedure

There are no absolute contraindications for gastric X-ray examination, but relative contraindications include pregnancy and gastric bleeding.

Ulcerative colitis, perforation of its walls, pregnancy, tachycardia may become an obstacle to the procedure with the intestine. Particular caution is required for intestinal obstruction, cystic pneumatosis, diarrhea, diverticulitis.

Complications after the procedure

The most unpleasant possible complication of barium X-ray is an allergic reaction to the substance. This occurs when there are violations at the stage of preparation for the procedure - a barium test is not performed. The reaction may be swelling of internal organs, difficulty breathing.

Consequences after the procedure

An unpleasant consequence of an X-ray examination with barium may be nausea, indigestion, constipation in the first few days after the procedure. An examination of the intestines may be accompanied by bloating, flatulence, and feces are colored white.

Care after the procedure

If an X-ray of the stomach does not cause any unpleasant sensations and does not require any special care after the procedure, except for some dietary restrictions in the form of coarse and abundant food, then with an examination of the intestines, not everything is so simple. It is unpleasant, painful and requires a certain rehabilitation period: refusal of physical activity, taking laxatives to quickly remove barium from the body, delicate nutrition.

Reviews

According to reviews, X-rays with barium of the esophagus and stomach usually do not cause any particular complaints, which cannot be said about the intestines. Nevertheless, a person is ready to undergo all the tests to identify and eliminate the problem that is debilitating him.

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