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The barium enema is a diagnostic study of the large intestine. By using barium as a highlighter, your physician can study the condition and functioning of your large intestine. A note to inpatients: If you're having this procedure done on an inpatient basis, your nurse will guide you through all preparations, and will arrange for your transportation to and from the Radiology Department.
A few days before your examination, you should purchase a Fleet's Barium Enema Prep Kit #1, which can be found at any local pharmacy. Follow the instructions for the 24-hour preparation. Please note that any barium remaining in your system after the examination may lead to constipation. You may want to contact your personal physician to have a laxative recommended. Please pay close attention to the dietary restrictions prescribed by your physician. Allow approximately 45 to 60 minutes for your examination.
When you arrive for your appointment, a technologist will show you to a changing room. You will be asked to change into the exam gown provided. When you're ready, the technologist will escort you to the x-ray room and will help you onto the examination table. You will then be positioned so that an enema tube can be inserted into your rectum. Once the tube is in place, the technologist will administer barium into your large intestine via the enema tube. Throughout this process, the radiologist or radiologist assistant will take several x-rays. When the large intestine is completely filled with the barium, another series of x-rays will be taken.
Throughout the study, the technologist will ask you to assume various positions so that your large intestine can be x-rayed from all sides. Before the final x-ray, the technologist will help you to a nearby bathroom so that you can expel as much of the barium as possible.
If your physician or our radiologist feels an air contrast study is necessary, air will be administered with the barium via the enema tube. From this point, your examination will follow the same steps as the regular barium enema examination.
If you have questions at any point during your examination, please ask. To avoid constipation after the procedure is over, drink plenty of fluids. However, do not do this if you are on a fluid restriction diet.
The radiologist will study your x-rays and relay the results to your physician. Your physician will discuss the results of your examination with you at your next appointment.
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A cystogram is a special x-ray study that looks at your bladder. A voiding cystogram looks at your bladder and urethra. By filling the bladder with liquid contrast (a special water with iodine base), the doctor will be able to look at the structure and function of your bladder. If you have ever had a reaction to iodine-based drugs, be sure to tell the technologist or your doctor prior to the study.
A note to inpatients: If you're having this procedure done on an inpatient basis, your nurse will guide you through all preparations, and will arrange for your transportation to and from the Radiology Department.
There is no preparation needed for this study. You may meat and drink as normal before this study, and take your regular medicine.
When you arrive for your appointment, the technologist will take you to a dressing room. You will be asked to change into the exam gown provided. When you are ready, the technologist will show you to a x-ray room. After the technologist explains the procedure and answers your questions, you will be helped onto the table and positioned for a basic x-ray. After the technologist checks the basic x-ray, a trained professional will insert the catheter, or tube, through the urethra. This is the small opening in your body where urine comes out. Your bladder will then be filled with the liquid contrast through this catheter, while being watched under fluoroscopy (a special type of x-ray). Your bladder will feel full. Several x-rays of your bladder will be taken.
If you are having a cystogram and the catheter was inserted in the Radiology Department, the catheter will be removed, and you will be asked to void in the restroom. If you arrived with a catheter in place, your bladder will be emptied through the catheter. The technologist then takes a post-void x-ray.
If you are having a voiding-cystogram, the catheter is removed, and you are asked to empty your bladder on the table while x-rays are taken. While we know you may find this embarrassing, it is needed so the radiologist (a doctor who is an expert in reading x-rays) will be able to read the test.
The results of your study will be reviewed by a radiologist, who then reports the results to your doctor. Your doctor will discuss the results of the study with you at your next appointment.
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An IVP is a special x-ray study to examine your urinary system. By using an iodine-based contrast, your doctor will be able to visualize the anatomy and functioning of your kidneys, bladder, and ureters. A note to inpatients: If you are having this procedure done on an inpatient basis, your nurse will guide you through all preparations, and will arrange for your transportation to and from the Radiology Department.
A few days before your examination: purchase a Dulcolax Bowel Prep Kit, or three Dulcolax tablets and a suppository. These can be purchased at any pharmacy -- no prescription is needed.
Day before your examination: Nothing to eat after 12 noon on the day before your study. You may drink clear liquids only; no milk products.
At 8 p.m. the night before your study, take three Dulcolax tablets by mouth. Swallow them whole; do not crush or chew the tablets. Also, do not take them within one hour of taking antacids or milk.
You may continue to have clear liquids. But remember, no milk products and no food!
Day of your examination: No breakfast! No milk products! You may have clear liquids.
Two hours before your appointment, insert one Dulcolax suppository rectally.
You may continue to enjoy clear liquids until your appointment time.
Please allow 45 minutes for your IVP.
Please bring your brochure to your appointment. Also bring your health benefits ID card and any pre-approval or referral forms.
When you arrive in the Radiology Department, a technologist will escort you to a dressing room. You will be asked to change into the exam gown provided. When you are ready, the technologist will show you to the examination room, and help you onto the x-ray table. Once you are positioned, the technologist will take a preliminary x-ray. There will be a short wait at this point while the technologist shows the x-ray to a Radiologist.
After the Radiologist reviews the preliminary x-ray, you will be injected with an iodine-based contrast. This solution is usually injected into a vein in your hand or arm. If you have ever had a reaction to iodine-based drugs, be sure to tell the technologist or your doctor prior to the examination.
Note to Diabetic Patients: if you receive an intravenous injection of contrast during the IVP and you take Metformin (Glucophage or Glucovance) therapy, please:
stop taking the Metformin (Glucophage or Glucovance) for 48 hours after the IVP
and talk with your primary care physician before you begin taking it again.
While you are lying on your back, the technologist will take a series of x-rays over a 25-minute interval. Toward the end of the procedure, you may be asked to empty your bladder so that a post-urination x-ray can be taken.
The results of your IVP will be interpreted by a Radiologist, who will then report the results to your physician. Your physician will discuss the results of the study with you at your next appointment.
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An upper GI (GastroIntestinal) series is a special x-ray examination of the stomach and small intestines. By using a barium solution to highlight your gastrointestinal tract, the Radiologist can observe the condition and functioning of your digestive system.
A note to inpatients: If you're having this procedure done on an inpatient basis, your nurse will guide you through all preparations, and will arrange for your transportation to and from the Radiology Department.
If you are scheduled for a small bowel series, additional x-rays will be taken at 15-minute intervals until the barium has passed through your small bowel. The time for this procedure will vary from individual to individual, so please allow several hours in your schedule to complete the exam. You may wish to bring something to occupy yourself while you wait between x-rays.
A note to inpatients: If you're having this procedure done on an inpatient basis, your nurse will guide you through all preparations, and will arrange for your transportation to and from the Radiology Department.
The preparation for an upper GI series or a small bowel series is minimal. Your only restriction is that you should take nothing by mouth after midnight the night before your examination. This means no breakfast, water or other liquids, chewing gum, etc., until after your examination. Please note that barium sometimes causes constipation. You may wish to drink extra liquids and resume your regular diet. A mild laxative may also be helpful. Please allow at least one hour for your upper GI series. If you are scheduled for a small bowel series as well, please allow several hours for your examination.
When you arrive for your appointment, our technologist will escort you to a dressing room. Here you will be asked to change into the exam gown provided. When you're ready, the technologist will show you to an x-ray room, and will position you in front of the x-ray machine. You will then be given a cup of barium solution to drink. As you drink the solution, the Radiologist or Radiologist Assistant will observe the procedure through a fluoroscope, a device which projects images of your stomach and small intestine onto a monitor. Several x-rays will be taken during this procedure. For the next phase of the exam, the technologist will lower the x-ray table so you will be lying down. Once you have been properly positioned, another series of x-rays will be taken. At the end of this series, the Radiologist will review the x-rays to be certain that they contain the information needed.
Your physician will discuss the results of your study with you at your next appointment.
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