Adult Barium Enema

A single contrast or an air contrast colon examination may be done. The procedures are similar except different x-rays need to be taken with the patient in different positions after the radiologist leaves the room.

Preparation - Day Prior to Examination:

Breakfast and Lunch: Low residue diet. You may have white toast or bread and butter, boiled, poached or scrambled eggs, clear tea or coffee, clear fruit juice, fish, lean meat, boiled or mashed potatoes, clear soups, canned or well cooked string beans, beets, carrots, peas, spinach. A liquid nutritional supplement without fibre may be substituted for all meals.
3 P.M. and 4 P.M.: Drink one full glass of water.
5 P.M.: Clear fluid supper. Clear soup, fruit juice, jello, clear coffee/tea or carbonated soft drinks. NO MILK OR MILK PRODUCTS.
7 P.M.: Drink one full glass of water.
8 P.M.: Drink one bottle of Magnesium Citrate (Citro Mag) – COLD
9 P.M. and 10 P.M.: Drink one full glass of water.

Preparation - On the Morning of the Examination:

Breakfast: Clear tea or coffee or clear fruit juice. Insert a Dulcolax suppository into rectum at 7:00 A.M.
Do not wear jewelry to your appointment.
Children may not be left unattended in the Waiting Room.

Procedure

In the X-Ray Department you will be asked to lie on a special table.
A tube attached to a bag of Barium Sulphate mixture is inserted into the rectum while x-rays are being taken. This tube is held in place with the end of an inflation cuff. You may feel the urge to move your bowels.
Let the technologist/radiologist know if there is extreme pain or too much difficulty in holding the barium.
When the x-ray is finished you will be asked to expel the barium.
The examination will last for approximately 1 hour.

After the Test

You can eat and drink plenty of fluids
You may feel tired, thirsty and hungry
A laxative may be ordered by your physician
Your stools will be light coloured until all the barium has been expelled.