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. The esophagus, stomach, and duodenum are collectively called the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract or upper digestive system.
The upper GI tract, the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum are viewed in this procedure.
An upper GI series may be ordered if you have:
-
Diarrhea
- Weight loss
- Abdominal pain
- Difficulty swallowing
- Regurgitation
- Rectal bleeding
- Bloody stools or black, tarry stools
- Bloody vomit or "coffee-ground" vomit
An upper GI series can help detect:
- 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.
- 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 the procedure.
- 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.
A
barium sulfate solution will be administered.
There is no anesthesia associated with this procedure.
Remove all jewelry and wear a hospital gown. You will 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 to 30 minutes while the barium travels through the intestine.
You may eat and drink as usual.
An upper GI series can take between 30 minutes and two hours. A small bowel follow-through can take 1 to 4 hours.
No. There is usually no pain associated with the procedure.
- 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
A hospital stay is not scheduled for this procedure.
Drink lots of fluids to eliminate the barium from your system.
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.
- Abdominal pain or bloating
- Constipation doesn't resolve within a few days
- Signs of infection, including fever and chills
Last reviewed November 2007 by
Daus Mahnke, MD
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.
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