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 Report
to Diagnostic Imaging - Radiology Department
Please bring your Health Card to your appointment.
 A
Gastrointestinal Series (G.I.) is an x-ray examination of your
esophagus (the passage from the mouth to the stomach), the stomach and the duodenum
(the first part of your intestine).
A Small Bowel Series Follow Through is an x-ray study that
takes pictures of the small intestine. The barium is followed from the stomach
through the small bowel. The exam time may vary from 1 hour to 6 hours, depending
on each patient.
A Barium Swallow is an x-ray that takes pictures of the passage
from the mouth to the stomach (pharynx and the esophagus).
- Preparation begins on the day prior to the exam.
- Patients with diabetes and allergies should consult their Physician for changes in preparation. Inform the office staff and technologist immediately on arrival.
- No preparation is required if you are booked for an Esophagus (barium swallow) only.
- You may have a normal supper the evening prior to the examination.
- You are not to eat or drink anything from 8 p.m. on the evening prior to the examination until it has been completed.
- Do not swallow water when brushing your teeth in the morning.
- Do not wear jewelry to your appointment.
- Children may not be left unattended in the Waiting Room.
- Please let the Technologist or Radiologist know
if you have any allergies or if there is any chance of pregnancy.
- May eat and drink in the evening.
- Not to eat or drink in the morning.
- Nothing to eat or drink 3 hrs. prior to exam time.
- Children with diabetes should fast 2 hrs. prior to the exam.
- These examinations are performed from
8:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.
- You will be instructed to change into a hospital gown. You may leave underwear on except an underwire bra. Remove neck chains and earrings.
- There may be some waiting involved before you go in for your test after you have been changed.
- In the X-Ray room you will be asked to stand, sit or lie on the x-ray table.
- You will be instructed to take some carbon dioxide crystals to produce gas and asked not to burp. Immediately after this, you will be asked to drink a flavored barium suspension.
- The X-Ray Technologist or Radiologist will ask you to swallow a white chalk-tasting mixture (barium sulphate and water) several times during the test.
- The Radiologist will ask you to move in different positions. The table is motorized and will also move.
- You may be asked to hold your breath during image capture. Your Technologist will tell you if delayed pictures are required.
- If a small bowel follow-through is also ordered you will be asked to drink another cup of barium. This will require images to be taken after extended periods of time to evaluate your small bowel. Please ensure that you have this time available to complete the exam (up to 6 hours, average 1.5 hours). You may be allowed to leave and return to the department.
- The Technologist will tell you when your examination is complete. It is recommended that you increase your water/clear fluid intake over the next few days as barium can be constipating.
- The barium is excreted through your stools. Your stool will be lighter in colour.
- Your Physician may want you to take
a laxative if you should become
constipated after the test.
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