This document discusses barium studies, which use barium sulfate and x-rays to detect abnormalities in the gastrointestinal tract. It describes the different types of barium studies, including upper GI series like barium swallows and barium meals, and lower GI series like barium enemas. The procedures are outlined, such as administering barium sulfate orally or via a tube, and taking sequential x-rays. Barium studies can diagnose conditions like ulcers, tumors, or motility issues by allowing visualization of the digestive tract on x-rays. Risks and contraindications are also mentioned.

1. Barium Studies
of
Gastro-Intestinal Tract
Dr. Mathew Joseph MBBS,MD(2nd Year),BCCPM
Junior Resident
Department of Anatomy
All India Institute of Medical Sciences - Rishikesh

2. Introduction
• Group of diagnostic tests used to detect
abnormalities of the Gastro-Intestinal Tract using
X-ray imaging.
• Radio-opaque contrast used: Barium Sulphate
It coats lining of the digestive tract, allowing
accurate X-ray imaging of the part to be examined.

3. • Barium Sulphate is mixed with water and is
swallowed.
• Following this a series of X-rays are taken.

5. Classification
Barium Studies :
1. Upper Gastro-Intestinal Series
2. Lower Gastro-Intestinal Series

6. Upper Gastro-Intestinal Series
1. Barium Swallow Examination
2. Barium Meal Examination
3. Barium Follow Through Examination
4. Enteroclysis / Small Bowel Enema

7. Lower Gastro-Intestinal Series
1. Barium Enema Examination

8. Procedure
• Medical History
• Clinical Status
• Patient Consent
• Barium Study

9. Barium Swallow
• No special preparations are required.
• Study of the larynx, pharynx, and esophagus.
• A thick barium mixture(350-450 mL ) is swallowed
in supine position.
• Fluoroscopic images of the swallowing process are
made.
• The procedure is repeated several times with the
examination table tilted at various angles.
• Normally, 90% of ingested fluid should have
passed into the stomach after 15 seconds.

10. Normal Barium
Swallow

11. Barium Meal and Follow Through
• For barium meal or barium follow-through
examinations, a 6-hour period of fasting is
observed prior to the studies.
• Barium is administered orally, sometimes mixed
with drugs to reduce transit time in the bowel
and to enhance gastric emptying.
• X-ray images are then taken in a supine position
at intervals of 20–30 minutes.

12. • Real-time fluoroscopy is used to assess bowel
motility.
• The radiologist may press or palpate the
abdomen during images to separate intestinal
loops.
• The total time necessary for the test depends
on the speed of bowel motility or transit time
and may vary between 1 and 3 hours.

13. Normal Barium
Meal

14. Normal Barium
Follow Through

15. Enteroclysis
• Fasting for 8 hours prior to examination.
• Laxative: Bowel preparation and cleansing.
• Infusion of thin barium sulfate suspension (500 -
1000 ml) into the bowel through a duodenal tube.
• Fluroscopy done or viewed as standard radiographs
taken at frequent intervals.
• The technique is a double-contrast procedure that
allows detailed imaging of the entire small intestine.
• 6 hours or longer to complete.

16. Enteroclysis

17. Barium Enema
• Large intestine conditions.
• Thorough cleaning of the large intestine is
necessary for accurate pictures.
• Laxative, Warm water enema ,NPO before 8-
10 hours.
• Patient is asked to lie on their side while a well
lubricated enema tube is inserted into
the rectum.

18. • Barium sulphate suspension is infused and x-ray
examination is done.

19. Barium Enema

20. Indications
• Diagnose and
monitor esophageal
reflux
• Dysphagia
• Hiatus hernia
• Strictures
• Diverticula
• Pyloric stenosis
• Gastritis
• Enteritis
• Volvulus
• Varices
• Ulcers
• Tumors
• Gastrointestinal
dysmotility
• Detect foreign bodies.

21. Contraindications
• Suspected Bowel Perforation
• Hypersensitivity to barium
• Pregnancy
• Recent biopsy

22. Thank You