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What is a lower gastrointestinal tract radiographic examination?
What information can a physician obtain from a lower GI procedure?
How do I prepare for this exam?
What will the equipment used for my exam look like?
How is the lower GI study performed?
What effect will the exam have on me during and following the procedure?
When will the results of my exam be available to me?
What are the risks and benefits of a lower GI study?
What are the diagnostic uses of the lower GI tract examination?
What is a lower gastrointestinal tract radiographic examination?
This procedure is an x-ray examination of the large intestine (colon) and is often called a barium enema study. The patients lower GI tract is coated with barium so that it is more visible and distinguishable from adjacent anatomy.
X-rays are used to help the radiologist visualize the colon as it fills with barium or another liquid contrast. If the physician feels that there is a possibility of either a perforated colon where surgery would be indicated, he will order the exam to be performed with another type of liquid contrast that is absorbed by the body tissues.
What information can a physician obtain from a Lower GI procedure?
Through a lower GI tract fluoroscopic examination, a physician can diagnose adverse medical conditions such as:
Cancer
Constipation
Irregular bowel motion
Persistent diarrhea
Abnormalities in the lining of lower GI tract
Weight loss (unexpected)
Polyps (tumors that are benign)
Symptoms that might be helpful with making a diagnosis are:
Blood in the stool
Lower abdominal cramping
Irritable lower abdomen following a meal
How do I prepare for this exam?
To prepare for the exam:
-Inform your physician of any medications you are taking.
-Inform your physician of any substance, medicine or food allergies you have.
-Mention if you have an allergy to iodine or have had x-ray/cat scan contrast before and experienced an allergic reaction (a reaction can be as minor as a rash).
-If you are pregnant or think you could be pregnant, please notify your physician, the Imaging Department receptionist and the technologist performing your exam prior to the start of the exam. Some imaging tests are not recommended during pregnancy, especially during the first trimester.
-You will be asked to remove jewelry, some articles of clothing and possibly removable prosthetic devices.
Follow these instructions on the day before the exam:
· 12:00 noon eat a light lunch (Jell-o, broth, fruit juice)
· 2:00 P.M. drink 8 ounces of clear liquid
· 3:00 P.M. drink 8 ounces of clear liquid
· 4:00 P.M. drink 8 ounces of clear liquid
· 5:00 P.M. drink 10 ounces Mag Cirate (drug stores have this)
· Clear liquid evening meal chicken broth, clear Jell-o, clear fruit juices without pulp
· 7:00 P.M. drink 8 ounces of clear liquid
· 8:00 P.M. drink 8 ounces of clear liquid
· 9:00 P.M. drink 8 ounces of clear liquid
· 10:00 P.M. take 4 ducolax tablets with a full glass of water
· No food or water is to be taken after midnight unless directed by your physician
Follow these instructions on the day of the exam:
Do not eat breakfast
What will the equipment used for my exam look like?
The equipment is comprised of a motorized table, a fluoroscope, x-ray tube and video monitor. The table will be hard and flat, so anticipate some discomfort, especially if you have difficulty lying on hard surfaces. The table has the capability of positioning you in either an upright (standing) position or lying you horizontally.
How is the lower GI study performed?
This procedure is most often performed on an outpatient basis. It will be necessary for you to be NPO for the exam (do not eat or drink after dinner the night before the exam). NPO will allow your lower GI tract to be empty, making all parts of the tract visible during the exam.
You will be placed on the x-ray table on your left side. The technologist will insert an enema tip into you rectum so that the barium can flow into your lower GI tract. The table may be tilted slightly while you are on it to help the barium flow through all parts of the colon. It is very important for you to make every effort to retain the barium until the exam is complete (5-10 minutes).
The radiologist will take x-rays as the colon fills. The technologist will take additional x-rays after the radiologist finishes the fluoroscopic portion of the exam. After all x-rays have been taken, you will be assisted to the toilet to evacuate the barium. A final static x-ray will be taken after you have emptied your colon of the barium. The total exam usually takes about 15-20 minutes.
What effect will the exam have on me during and following the procedure?
Liquid barium is a chalky substance that will coat the lining of the colon. While the barium is filling your colon, you will feel like you need to go to the toilet. You might experience some cramping, but you will only need to retain the barium until the end of the exam. You will be asked to turn your body on the table during the exam and the radiologist and technologist will tilt the table to enhance coating of the GI tract during the exam.
The barium is not changed by your body as it passes through, so expect whitish stools for one to two days following the exam. If you have a tendency to become constipated easily, use an over-the-counter laxative and drink plenty of water for the first few days after the exam.
When will the results of my exam be available to me?
Your exam will be interpreted by a board certified radiologist (a medical physician with specialty training reading x-rays). The results of the exam will be available to your physician within 24-hours of the exam. Your physician will notify you of the exam findings.
What are the risks and benefits of a lower GI study?
-You will not receive enough radiation from the exam to be harmful.
-You will not become radioactive from this exam.
-Barium is not absorbed by your body, so there is very little chance that you will have an allergic reaction.
-The test will help your physician diagnose your condition.
-Lower GI studies have been performed for over 50 years and are still considered a valuable diagnostic tool.
-A woman should always notify the technologist if she feels she may be pregnant.
What are the diagnostic uses of the Lower GI tract examination?
This test can detect polyps, obstructions or other disease processes. |
