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Barium Enema/Air Contrast BE

A Barium enema or lower gastrointestinal (GI) examination is a X-ray exam of the large intestine (colon).  This examination is  frequently done on patients suffering from chronic diarrhea, blood in the stool, constipation, irritable bowel, unexplained weight loss of change in bowel habits.  A barium enema can help in the diagnosis of tumors, polyps, cancer and other medical conditions.

Preparation:  Your colon must be clean before this exam can be done.  You will be given special instructions on how to do this, which will include a liquid diet and taking laxatives the day before the examination.  Your physician will give you these instructions or send you to the hospital radiology department to pick up the instructions and the laxative prep.

Procedure:  You will be asked to wear a hospital gown.  A technologist will take a scout film to make sure your colon is clean before the exam is started.  The technologist will insert an enema tip into your rectum.  This is a special tip that will help you hold the barium enema.  Once the radiologist is in the examination room, the barium will be introduced into your colon.  You will be asked to turn from side to side to help coat the colon with barium.  If you are having an air contrast enema, the barium is then let back into the bag and air is introduced through the tip.  Once the colon is coated and the radiologist has taken spot films while he watches your colon fill, the technologist will take a series of films of your colon.  When these films have been completed and checked by the radiologist, you will be taken to a bathroom to expel the remaining barium.  The technologist may give you a mild laxative to take home and instruct you to drink plenty of fluids for the next few days to get rid of any remaining barium.  The radiologist will send a report of his findings to your physician.