Barium swallow: my experience
Posted by Kez on May 24 2010 20:43:43
Please note that I underwent this test with an ileostomy instead of a large bowel. This may therefore mean that my experience will be shorter with less after-effects than someone with a full complement of bowel.

String signTime taken: up to 4 hours
Bowel prep: No eating or drinking for a set period, drinking Barium liquid

The barium swallow (other variants include the barium follow-through and barium enema) is an x-ray examination of the upper digestive system. In order to get the images needed, you are required to drink in excess of about 450ml of barium liquid. The barium coats the inside lining of the oesophagus (gullet), stomach and then duodenum before working its way down through the jejunum and ileum. A series of x-rays are taken, following the passage of the barium as it works its way through the bowel . It is completely painless.

The barium liquid drink is a thick white solution that tastes slightly minty and aniseed flavoured. Approximately 15 minutes prior to the x-ray, I was asked to start drinking it. I drank 3 150ml cupfuls which produced adequate x-ray images, however you may be asked to drink more than this to aid clarity of the images.

The first x-ray was taken, with me laying horizonal on my tummy for the x-ray. I was encouraged to drink more barium liquid for the next image‘s clarity, and a series of approximately four x-rays was done at 15-20 minute intervals.

For the last image results, I was asked to lay on my back and the ‘live’ x-ray machine was used to take pictures of the bowel. This was viewable on screen where you can clearly see the barium coated bowel move when you breathe and slide about when you move. Screenshots were taken, the doctor looking for signs of narrowing in the x-rays, indicating patches of inflammation of the bowel wall, strictures (narrowing of the bowel caused by scarring), adhesions following my previous surgeries and the ‘string sign’ (pictured, right), a wormlike appearance of bowel on screen that indicates severe inflammation in an extended tract of bowel.

The after-effects were very minimal. The output from the bag was mostly barium (please note that that it will sit at the bottom of the toilet basin where it is a heavy substance and may require an extra flush) and I was able to go straight away. The live x-ray machine enabled me to discuss the condition of my bowel with the consultant radiologist so I came away with a good idea of the physical condition of my upper digestive system.

Kez