Barium follow through Flashcards
What is a Barium Follow-Through?
It is a radiographic examination of the small bowel using oral administration of contrast media, such as barium sulfate.
What are the two methods used in a Barium Follow-Through?
Single contrast.
Double contrast
What are the indications for a Barium Follow-Through?
Abdominal pain and diarrhea.
Crohn’s disease.
Complete or near-complete small bowel obstruction.
Unexplained gastrointestinal bleeding.
What are the contraindications for a Barium Follow-Through?
Colonic obstruction.
Suspected perforation (unless water-soluble contrast is used).
Paralytic ileus.
How should a patient prepare for a Barium Follow-Through?
Take a laxative the evening before the exam.
Take metoclopramide 20 mg orally 20 minutes before the exam to enhance gastric emptying.
Maintain a low-roughage diet and high fluid intake for 48 hours prior.
Fast for 12 hours before the exam.
A preliminary plain abdominal film is taken.
What contrast medium is used in a Barium Follow-Through, and how much is administered?
Barium sulfate (600–900 ml of 50–60% concentration) is administered orally.
What position is the patient placed in after drinking barium, and why?
The patient is placed in the right side dependent position to aid rapid gastric emptying.
How often are images taken during the first hour of a Barium Follow-Through?
Prone PA images are taken every 15–20 minutes during the first hour.
What is the purpose of using high kV during the Barium Follow-Through?
To demonstrate the jejunum and proximal ileum clearly.
Where is the image receptor centered for early images in a Barium Follow-Through?
At the level of L2 (lumbar spine).
Where is the image receptor centered for delayed images in a Barium Follow-Through?
At the level of the iliac crests.
What is the best position to demonstrate the ileocecal junction?
Supine with the right side up.
What are the advantages of the prone position in a Barium Follow-Through?
Better separation and less overlap of bowel loops.
Uniform compression of the abdomen for even X-ray penetration.
Prevents ileum loops from compacting in the pelvis.
What position is used to demonstrate diverticula in a Barium Follow-Through?
Erect position to reveal fluid levels caused by contrast medium in diverticula.
How can loops of small bowel be separated during imaging?
Angling the X-ray tube toward the pelvis.
Using oblique projections (right side raised).
Tilting the patient head down.
What are the basic projections used in a Barium Follow-Through?
Prone.
Supine with the right side up.
