Talk:Barium meal

Barium Meal This procedure is an examination of the oesophagus (gullet), stomach and duodenum. The examination demonstrates the anatomy and function of these regions and also the function, for example swallowing, emptying of the stomach and passage of food through the intestine. There are many indications for this procedure and why it is appropriate for you. This will have been explained to you by your doctor.

Preparation'

: You will need to prepare for the examination by fasting (not eating or drinking) for at least eight hours before the x-ray appointment. This ensures that the stomach is empty as any food or fluid taken before the examination can give misleading results. In addition you will be requested not to smoke for six hours before the procedure as smoking causes the stomach lining to secrete fluid which reduces the quality and accuracy of the examination. Examination time: The examination will take approximately 30 minutes unless your doctor also wants the small intestine examined, which may take a further 1-4 hours depending on the speed of the fluid through the bowel.

Procedure

You will be asked to change into a gown before the procedure to ensure that there are no confusing shadows on the films from your clothing.

To outline the stomach and other areas and to assess the swallowing mechanism, you will be given a cup of heavy, chalky-tasting fluid (barium sulphate) as well as some additional small amounts of other fluids and/or powder. These fluids fill the stomach with a combination of barium and gas to expand the walls of the stomach and show the stomach lining. An intravenous injection may be given to relax the stomach and improve the ease of interpretation of the examination. You may feel bloated, but this will improve quickly. You will need to be turned into various positions on the X-ray table to allow films to be taken of all parts of the stomach and small bowel. The films and report are usually available 15-30 minutes after the end of the procedure, or can be delivered to your doctor.

A PROBLEM WITH THIS ARTICLE Barium meals and Barium swallows are actually two separate examinations. A barium swallow looks at the oesophagus, and the cardiac sphincter of the stomach. It is also used to asses gastro-oesophageal reflux. Ba swallows use a single contrast technique of barium sulphate.

Barium Meals on the other hand are less concerned with the oesophagus (though usually it is imaged briefly) and is focussed instead on the stomach and especially the duodenal cap. Patients are given 10mls each of calcium carbonate and citric acid solutions separately to produce gas in the stomach. A separate Barium mixture (not just barium sulphate) is used to produce a double contrast examination.