What is a Barium (Stomach X-ray) Examination? Vol. 2
What is the flow of a barium (stomach X-ray) examination?
Friend "What is the examination process like?"
Technician "First, I suppose it starts with you changing into an examination gown."
Friend "Why do I have to change?"
Technician "Because zippers or buttons on your regular clothes might show up in the images. Also, you'll be drinking a white liquid called barium, so your clothes might get dirty."
Friend "I see!"
Technician "Once you've changed, you'll enter the imaging room, and the radiologic technologist in charge will explain the procedure. You'll drink a carbonated powder called a foaming agent and the barium I mentioned earlier before we start the imaging."
What is barium? Why do you drink the foaming agent and barium?
Barium has the property of not allowing X-rays to pass through it. By coating the stomach wall (mucosa) with it, we can clearly capture the shape and surface of the stomach. Also, it is insoluble in water, meaning it is not absorbed by the body, passes through the intestines quickly, and is excreted with stool.
Friend "Why do I have to drink the foaming agent and barium?"
Technician "The foaming agent is to inflate the stomach. By doing that, we can stretch the surface (folds) of the stomach to perform a precise examination. Barium allows us to coat the entire stomach wall (mucosa) so we can see the condition of the stomach. Is this photo easy to understand? Even though it's the same person's stomach, you can see how the inflation and the appearance of the folds are different, right?"
Friend "It definitely feels like the surface of the stomach is more stretched on the left! But why is it so different?"
Technician "It's simply whether or not they burped. The foaming agent is just like drinking a carbonated soda, so it makes you want to burp. If you burp, the stomach shrinks drastically like in the photo on the right, making it impossible to compare with other photos. That's why the radiologic technologist explains that you should swallow your saliva and try to hold back your burps each time."
Friend "What if I do burp?"
Technician "Then you'll have to drink the foaming agent again."
Friend "I see."
Technician "Other than that, the radiologic technologist will give you instructions over the microphone during the exam, so you just have to move as directed. For example, 'Turn to the right three times,' 'Lie on your back,' 'Lie face down,' 'Turn to the right,' 'Tilt your body slightly,' and so on."
Friend "Why do I have to move around, like turning to the right?"
Technician "Because you need to coat the stomach wall (mucosa) with barium yourself, and we need to take images from various angles."
Friend "I see. Is the examination over after that?"
Technician "Yes. It usually takes about 10 to 15 minutes. After that, you'll be given a laxative to take."
Why a laxative?
Friend "Why do I have to take a laxative?"
Technician "Barium tends to harden, so we want you to get it out of your body as soon as possible. It's to prevent constipation."
Friend "I see. What kind of diseases can be found? Also, you mentioned that I could have an endoscopy instead, so could you tell me the differences?"
Technician "Oh! You're interested! Diseases and the differences from an endoscopy, huh? Alright, I'll explain that briefly."
Friend "Thanks!"
Next time! The conclusion! It will be about "Differences from Endoscopy and Summary."
Please check it out again if you'd like!!!
The previous article ishere!