A series of x-rays of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum during and after drinking a barium solution. The duodenum is the first part of the small intestine; and the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum are collectively called the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract or upper digestive system.
Diverticula - an abnormal pouch or sac opening from a hollow organ, such as the intestine
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
A hiatal hernia
Crohn's disease
Pulmonary aspiration – inhalation of fluid, food, or other foreign matter into the lungs
Inflammation of the stomach or small intestine
Risk Factors for Complications during the Procedure
Presence of food in the stomach
Presence of barium in the colon
Perforated or obstructed bowel
Due to the risks of radiation exposure, you should not have an upper GI series if you are pregnant.
What to Expect
Prior to Procedure:
Review your medications with your doctor, there are some that you may need to stop taking before this procedure
Do not eat, drink, or smoke for at least eight hours before
You may be given a medication called glucagon to slow down the activity of the stomach and small intestine
You may be asked to swallow baking soda crystals, which will bubble and produce gas in your stomach, allowing for more detailed x-rays
If you are going to have a small bowel follow-through, you may be asked to take a laxative medication the day before your exam, in order to clean out the small intestine
During Procedure – Barium sulfate solution
Anesthesia – None
Description of the Procedure - Remove all jewelry and wear a hospital gown. You drink barium, which is a thick, white, chalky milkshake-like liquid that coats the inside lining of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum. As you drink the barium, the radiologist takes x-rays of the upper GI area, using a machine called a fluoroscope. If your doctor wants to examine the esophagus, you may have pictures taken as you actually swallow the liquid or small bits of food that are covered with barium. You will be asked to change positions frequently in order to coat the entire surface of the GI tract with barium.
If the radiologist wants to examine more of the small intestine, a small bowel follow-through may be done. For this exam, x-ray pictures are taken every 15-30 minutes while the barium travels through the intestine.
After Procedure – You may eat and drink as usual
How Long Will It Take? An upper GI series can take between 30 minutes and two hours. A small bowel follow-through can take 1-4 hours.
Will It Hurt? No. There is usually no pain associated with the procedure.
Possible Complications:
Constipation for a few days after the procedure
White stool
Bowel obstruction, rare
Aspiration of the barium into your lungs, which can lead to pneumonia
Average Hospital Stay – None
Postoperative Care – Drink lots of fluids to eliminate the barium from your system
Outcome
A normal upper GI series will show an unobstructed, functioning, healthy digestive tract. Examples of abnormalities that may show up on an upper GI series include obstructions, ulcers of the esophagus, stomach, or small intestine, or irregularities in the swallowing mechanism. Your doctor will make treatment recommendations based on the findings.
Call Your Doctor If Any of the Following Occurs
Abdominal pain or bloating
Constipation doesn't resolve within a few days
Signs of infection, including fever and chills
RESOURCES:
American Gastroenterological Association
http://www.gastro.org
National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, NIH
http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
