Esophagography or esophagram is an X-ray performed to examine the esophagus. It does not just take pictures like a normal X-ray; esophagography is a fluoroscopic X-ray exam that takes X-rays as a live video. This is also known as a barium swallow test. After a person swallows barium sulfate, the barium coats the throat and esophagus as it moves down the stomach, showing changes in the throat, esophagus, and stomach on X-rays.
What are the uses of esophagography?
Esophagography helps diagnose the changes or conditions in the throat, esophagus, stomach, and upper part of the small intestine. These conditions include the following:
- Ulcers
- Polyps
- Blockages
- Tissue changes
- Structural defects
- Inflammation
- Muscular disorders
Esophagography also helps diagnose esophageal disorders, such as:
- Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing)
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (a condition in which the content in the stomach moves back to the esophagus)
- Achalasia (a condition in which the lower esophageal sphincter muscle does not relax and makes it difficult for the food to pass into the stomach)
- Esophageal spasms
- Esophageal strictures
- Hiatal hernia
- Esophageal diverticulum
- Esophageal cancer
How to prepare for esophagography
The following are the precautions to be taken before esophagography:
- Before the barium swallow test, your healthcare provider may ask you to fast (avoid eating or drinking) after midnight on the night before the procedure.
- You are advised to avoid swallowing anything that covers the lining of the esophagus (avoid smoking, eating candies, and chewing gums).
- Make sure that your healthcare provider must be aware of any substances (such as barium) that you are allergic to.
- This procedure should be avoided in pregnant women planning to get pregnant because the radiation may be harmful to the unborn baby, which may result in birth defects and intestinal problems.
How is esophagography done?
Esophagography involves the following steps:
- You will change into a hospital gown when you arrive for the exam.
- The pelvic area is covered by a lead shield to protect it from the unwanted radiation
- You may make to stand, sit, and lie down on the X-ray table and may be asked to change positions during the procedure.
- You may be given a thick, chalky, chocolate, or strawberry-flavored solution (which makes it easier to drink) that contains barium.
- When you swallow the barium, your healthcare provider may notice the barium moving down from the throat to the upper gastrointestinal tract.
- During this procedure, you will be asked to hold your breath for few times and the pictures are recorded for further purposes.
SLIDESHOW
Digestive Disorders: Common Misconceptions See SlideshowWhat are the contraindications for esophagography?
The following are the contraindications for esophagography:
- Pregnancy or planning to get pregnant
- Allergy to barium
- Perforation in the esophagus or intestines
- Severe constipation
- Severe difficulty in swallowing, which may accidentally result in barium moving into the lungs
What are the side effects of esophagography?
Side effects of esophagography include:
- Pain
- Abdominal swelling
- Trouble in bowel movements
- Severe constipation
- Smaller-than-normal-sized stools
How to manage constipation after esophagography
After the barium swallow test, the stool may appear white or lighter in color. It happens because of barium, which has not completely been expelled from the body.
Additionally, the barium swallow test may cause constipation, which can be managed by the following:
- Taking plenty of fluids.
- Consuming high-fiber diets.
- Taking laxatives.
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/22766-esophagram
https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/barium-swallow/
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/barium-swallow
Top What Is Esophagography Related Articles
Achalasia
Esophageal achalasia is a disease of the esophagus that mainly affects young adults. Achalasia makes it difficult to swallow, can cause chest pain, and may lead to regurgitation. Here we discuss achalasia symptoms, surgery, treatment, and causes. Learn the definition of achalasia and what you can do to treat the disease.
Barrett's Esophagus
Barrett's esophagus occurs as a complication of chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), primarily in white males. GERD refers to the reflux of acidic fluid from the stomach into the esophagus (the swallowing tube), and is classically associated with heartburn. Learn the symptoms, causes, and treatments for Barrett's esophagus.
Can Strep Throat Go Away on Its Own?
Strep throat generally goes away on its own in three to five days; however, antibiotics are still typically prescribed to help reduce the spread of the virus.
Fundoplication (Acid Reflux Surgery)
Fundoplication is a surgical procedure for treating GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease). The procedure is to help GERD symptoms including heartburn. Eighty percent of patients with GERD also have a hiatal hernia, and during the fundoplication procedure, the hernial sac may also be surgically fixed. The procedure can be done with laparotomy, thoracotomy, or laparoscopy.
GERD (Acid Reflux, Heartburn)
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), also called acid reflux, can cause symptoms like heartburn, chest pain, regurgitation, and nausea. Learn about causes, diagnosis, treatment and prevention.
GERD Quiz
Who is at risk for developing GERD? Are you? Take this quiz to learn what GERD is, if you're at risk, and what you can do about it.
Heartburn vs. Acid Reflux (Differences and Similarities)
Heartburn and acid reflux are not the same thing. Heartburn is actually a symptom of acid reflux. Heartburn gets its name because it feels like a burning sensation around the heart. Another symptom that occurs with heartburn is a bitter or sour taste in the mouth, usually when you eat or lye down. Heartburn affects more than 60 million people in the US at least once a month. Acid reflux, or GERD, occurs when stomach acid backs up into the esophagus, which irritates it. Heartburn is just one symptom of acid reflux. Other symptoms of acid reflux include:
- Belching
- Nausea after eating
- A feeling of fullness during or after eating
- Abdominal bloating
- Upset stomach
- Belching
- Wheezing
- Reflux laryngitis
- A tightness in the throat
- Problems swallowing
- Indigestion
- In some people, vomiting
Causes of acid reflux and heartburn include:
- Being obese
- Slouching (poor posture)
- Medications like calcium channel blockers, theophylline, nitrates, and antihistamines
- Foods and drinks like caffeine, citrus fruits and vegetables, alcohol, and chocolate
- Pregnancy
- Diabetes
- Increase in stomach acid
- Eating a heavy meal
- Eating before bed
The treatment for heartburn and acid reflux is to treat the underlying cause, for example, GERD, with over-the-counter (OTC) medicine, prescription medicine, natural remedies, and lifestyle changes like a eating a healthy, less fatty, spicy diet, not eating big meals, not eating before bed, and getting regular exercise to improve your posture.
Sometimes a heart attack can mimic heartburn and acid reflux because they feel very similar. If you have symptoms of chest pain, tightness in the chest, heartburn, acid reflux, jaw, tooth, or head pain; shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, sweating, discomfort in the upper middle of the abdomen, arm or upper back pain, or the general feeling of being ill, go to the nearest Emergency Department immediately because these are the symptoms of a heart attack.
REFERENCES:
American College of Gastroenterology. "Acid Reflux." 2017.
<http://patients.gi.org/topics/acid-reflux/>
familydoctor.org. "Heartburn." Updated: Mar 2014.
<https://familydoctor.org/condition/heartburn/>
National Library of Medicine; PubMed Health. "Heartburn and GERD: Treatment options for GERD." Updated: Nov 18, 2015.
<https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0072436/>
Sore Throat
Sore throat (throat pain) usually is described as pain or discomfort in the throat area. A sore throat may be caused by bacterial infections, viral infections, toxins, irritants, trauma, or injury to the throat area. Common symptoms of a sore throat include a fever, cough, runny nose, hoarseness, earaches, sneezing, and body aches. Home remedies for a sore throat include warm soothing liquids and throat lozenges. OTC remedies for a sore throat include OTC pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Antibiotics may be necessary for some cases of sore throat.
Sore Throat or Strep Throat? How to Tell the Difference
Is this a sore throat or could it be strep throat? Explore the causes of a sore throat, including strep throat, and learn how to find relief from that raw, scratchy throat pain.
Strep Throat Quiz
Take the Strep (Streptococcal) Throat Infection Quiz to learn about causes, symptoms, treatments, prevention methods, diagnosis, and complications of this common infectious disease.
Strep Throat
Strep throat is a bacterial infection of the throat. Signs and symptoms of strep throat include headache, nausea, vomiting, sore throat, and fever. Strep throat symptoms in infants and children are different than in adults. Strep throat is contagious and is generally passed from person to person. Treatment for strep throat symptoms includes home remedies and OTC medication; however, the only cure for strep throat is antibiotics.
Strep Throat Picture
Strep infection often produces a distinct pattern of white patches in the throat and on the tonsils, as well as red swollen tonsils. See a picture of Step Throat and learn more about the health topic.
Strep Throat: Symptoms and Treatments
Strep throat symptoms in adult and kids may be accompanied by a fever, rash and may lead to more serious complications. Strep throat tests confirm the infection, which is contagious. Treatment includes antibiotics and home care. Strep throat in kids may produce vomiting and nausea.
Swallowing Problems (Dysphagia)
Dysphagia or difficulty in swallowing, swallowing problems. Dysphagia is due to problems in nerve or muscle control. It is common, for example, after a stroke. Dysphagia compromises nutrition and hydration and may lead to aspiration pneumonia and dehydration.
What Are the 4 Types of Acid Reflux?
Acid reflux, also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), is a common stomach issue. The four types of acid reflux are mild, moderate, severe and the type that can lead to esophageal cancer.