Upper and Lower GI study Flashcards
What are several reasons a UGI may not be diagnostic?
Improper prep of the patient, inadequate # of x-rays taken, or not enough contrast agent
What are 4 indications for performing a UGI?
Weight loss, painful abdomen, chronic or intermittent vomiting, suspected foreign body
What are some reasons for performing survey radiographs before administering barium?
Check machine settings, determine if contrast study is necessary, determine adequate prep of patient
Patient prep for a UGI includes what?
Give enema 2 hours before procedure, pull drugs from animal before study, off food for 12-24 hours
If sedation is needed, what drug is recommended for dogs?
acepromazine
If sedation is needed, what drug is recommended for cats?
Acepromazine or ketamine
What are 2 advantages of liquid barium over powdered barium?
Doesn’t precipitate out and has better mucosal detail
What is the precaution/contraindication for using barium?
Do not use if any GI perforations
What contrast agent should be used instead of barium is GI perforation is suspected?
radiopaque iodine
What are some disadvantages of an oral iodine contrast agent?
causes dehydration, mose expensive, and less detail and contrast
As far as the dose of contrast agent, what is a common problem causing non-diagnostic x-rays?
not giving enough contrast agent
Liquid barium is usually bought as a 60% solution and then diluted to a 30% solution. This would require how much water and how much 60% barium?
equal parts tap water and barium
What is the dosage range for barium?
4-6ml/lb
Which end of the barium range would be used for a small dog?
6ml/lb
Which end of the barium range would be used for a large dog?
4ml/lb
What is used to dilute barium?
tap water
What are some advantages of diluting the oral iodine contrast agent?
use less so less expensive, less dehydration, lesser chance of electrolyte imbalance
What ratio is used when diluting the radiopaque iodine?
1: 5
iodine: water
What is used to dilute the iodine product with?
tap water
What is the dosage with the iodine compound?
4-6ml/lb
What are 2 methods of administering the contrast agent to the patient?
stomach tube or orally
What are 3 possible mouth speculums for the dog or cat?
tape roll, syringe case, syringe barrels
What is another term for stomach tube?
orogastric tube
What is the timing sequence for taking x-rays of the upper GI using barium in the dog?
0 minutes, 15 minutes, 30 minutes, 60 minutes, hourly
What is the timing sequence for taking x-rays of the upper GI using barium in cats?
0 minutes, 15 minutes, 30 minutes, every 30 minutes
What views are initially taken for a UGI?
VD, Left and Right lateral, DV
What views are take each time after the first set for a UGI?
VD and Left lateral
For how long should one continue x-rays?
until agent reaches colon
How long does it take for the agent to reach the colon in dogs?
2-4 hours
How long does it take for the agent to reach the colon in cats?
60 minutes
What is the time sequence for taking the x-rays when organic iodide is used as the medium?
0 minuted and then every 15 minutes
What is the “string of pearls” sometimes seen on the feline GI series?
normal variation of peristaltic activity
How can the colon best be evaluated?
LGI, enema barium
The barium enema procedure is used to study what?
Postion and contour of the colon and rectum
For the LGI examination, barium is given how?
gravity can, enema bag or pump
Studies resulting from the oral administration of the contrast agent result in many artifacts due to what?
incomplete distention of the large bowel wall, small amounts of material from the small bowel which pass with the contrast material
Signs the patient may present with that would suggest a LGI study will help in a diagnosis may include what major 2 things?
Large bowel diarrhea and fresh blood in feces
A LGI study may indicate what?
colonic or rectal polyps and/or neoplasia colitis or other mucosal disease, intussusception, diverticulosis or diverticulitis
What are the 3 types of LGI studies that may be performed?
positive, negative, double
Air can be instilled into the colon along with the barium contrast medium to further define structures of the large bowel and rectum, this is referred to as what?
Double contrast
Polyps and small cancers are more readily found using which type of LGI study?
Double contrast
What study is most appropriate for detecting colorectal polyps and potentially curable colorectal cancers?
Double contrast
When diluting Barium for the LGI study you should use what?
Saline
What is the dosage for Barium?
5-7ml/lb
What is the dosage for Air for Negative study?
5-7ml/lb
What is the dosage for Air for Double contrast study?
5-7ml/lb
What is the dosage for Radiopaque iodine?
5-7ml/lb
When should barium enema NOT be performed?
If GI perforation is suspected
Supplies needed for performing a barium enema include what?
Enema catheter, syringes, kidney pan, enema can or bag, 3-way valve
What views are used for the survey radiographs for LGI?
VD and lateral
How/where do you center the patient for a LGI?
pelvis to 8th rib
Most patients should be fasted for how long before performing an LGI?
24 hours
Why is a cuff on the enema tip essential?
it prevents leakage
Which view is used to determine if an adequate amount of contrast agent has been administered?
VD
When is the lateral view taken for an LGI?
When proper distention is achieved
When performing a double contrast LGI, which contrast agent is administered first?
Air
Once x-rays are completed what is done with the barium that is in the colon?
It is left and should outline any small lesions of the small bowel
What should be done if the x-ray shows barium back flowing into the small intestines?
drain the excess barium off through enema tube
