What is a barium swallow CT scan?
A barium swallow test (cine esophagram, swallowing study, esophagography, modified barium swallow study, video fluoroscopy swallow study) is a special type of imaging test that uses barium and X-rays to create images of your upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract.
Why would a person swallow barium sulfate before having a CT scan?
When to arrive: If you are having a CT scan of your abdomen or pelvis, you need to arrive two hours before your scheduled appointment. This is to allow time for you to drink barium sulfate before your exam and to ensure that the barium fluid completely coats your gastrointestinal tract.
What are the indications for barium swallow?
Barium swallow indications include:
- high or low dysphagia.
- gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GORD/GERD)
- assessment of a hiatus hernia.
- generalized epigastric pain.
- globus hystericus.
- persistent vomiting.
- assessment of fistula.
- inability to pass the endoscope during upper gastrointestinal endoscopy.
How long does a barium swallow procedure take?
You have a barium swallow as an outpatient in the radiology (x-ray) department. It takes 10 to 15 minutes.
Will drinking barium make me sick?
Patients may feel nauseous after a barium swallow test or become constipated. Drinking lots of fluids can help to relieve constipation. Symptoms of nausea should improve as the barium passes through the system.
What if I can’t drink all the barium for CT scan?
When a patient can’t drink all the oral contrast due to the taste or texture or drink it in the recommended time frame imaging staff may try to coax/coach the patient to finish drinking. However, prolonged drinking times may disrupt the schedule as well as result in images that are suboptimal.
Is a barium swallow test uncomfortable?
The X-ray used in this procedure is known as fluoroscopy. It allows the radiologist to see your internal organs in motion by tracking the flow of the barium solution through your intestinal tract. The test doesn’t require painkillers or sedation, but there may be moments of slight discomfort.
How fast do you have to drink barium?
Instructions for taking Oral Contrast (Barium Sulfate) Begin drinking the contrast one and a half hours before your scheduled exam time. Drink one-third of a bottle every fifteen minutes. Save the last third and bring it with you to your appointment.
Do you feel sick after barium swallow?
Is a barium swallow better than an endoscopy?
The barium swallow is a less invasive way to look at the upper GI tract than an endoscopy. Barium swallows are a useful diagnostic tool for checking for upper GI tract disorders that can be easily diagnosed with X-ray alone. More complex disorders require endoscopy.