Barium Enema

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Medical Author: Jay W. Marks, M.D.
Medical Editor: William C. Shiel, Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

• What is a barium enema series?
• What are the risks of a lower barium enema?
• How does the patient prepare for a lower barium enema, and how is it performed?
• How does the patient obtain the results of a lower barium enema series?
• Barium enema series At A Glance

What is a barium enema?

A lower GI series, also known as a barium enema, barium enema procedure, barium enema X-ray or double-contrast barium enema, is an X-ray test in which a white liquid, called barium, is infused through a catheter (tube) inserted through the anus and into the rectum until it fills the large bowel (colon). X-ray films of the colon then are taken so that the outline of the colon can be seen. The barium enema and double contrast barium enema are used to define normal and abnormal anatomy of the colon and rectum. Colon and rectal abnormalities that can be detected include diverticulosis, diverticulitis, polyps, colonic abscesses, abnormal colon movement, dilation of the colon, Hirschsprung disease in infants, and cancers.

What are the risks of a barium enema?

Distention of the colon is uncomfortable, but only a few patients find it very painful. Any X-ray test procedure involves some risk of radiation exposure. The radiation exposure is minimized by standard techniques which have been developed and approved by national and international radiology committees and councils. All radiology technologists are certified by national certifying boards.

Women who are or may be pregnant should notify the doctor requesting the procedure and the radiology staff, as there is a potential risk of harm to the fetus with any radiation exposure. Complications of barium enema examination are rare. The tip of the enema catheter or distention of the colon can penetrate the wall of the colon and give rise to a localized infection (abscess) or peritonitis (generalized infection of the abdominal cavity). This usually occurs only when excessive pressure is used to infuse the barium or there is already a diseased colon that is weakened.

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