Question 1

what exactly is a barium enema?

Accepted Answer

Placing radiopaque: Dye into the colon via the rectum.

Question 2

how long does barium enema take?

Accepted Answer

Barium enema: About 20 minutes. Usually wothless procedure.

Question 3

what does a barium enema look for?

Accepted Answer

Anatomy: Mostly it is used to study the anatomy of the lower intestine. If there is narrowing or widening of any area or if there is a suspicious looking mass in  the lower intestine, this would allow your doctor to decide what the next best test or treatment should be.

Question 4

how is a barium enema generally done?

Accepted Answer

Barium Enema: Prior to the procedure a bowel prep is consumed +/- enemas. In the radiology suite, a lubricated nozzle is inserted into the rectum and barium is introduced. Films are taken. You may be moved around on the table to get good views. Air can be used to inflate the colon to obtain better resolution. This can be uncomfortable.

Question 5

how much do barium enema testing cost?

Accepted Answer

BE: You can call the hospital where you're having it done and they can tell you.

Question 6

what are the common reasons for a barium enema?

Accepted Answer

Not many: Less sensitive and specific than other tests, like colonoscopy, ct colonography (virtual colonoscopy), barium enemas aren't done much anymore.  Can be helpful treating a condition called volvulus (sigmoid colon flips over on itself, causes a usually incomplete bowel obstruction).

Question 7

i had a barium enema last week. what does this mean?

Accepted Answer

A barium enema: Is a procedure performed in radiology under fluoroscopy. The radiologist fills the colon with barium and sometimes with air to look for polyps, masses, diverticular disease, and areas of narrowing.

Question 8

what should i expect after the barium enema procedure?

Accepted Answer

Lots of barium: Barium will act as a laxative.   Stay near a toilet.

Question 9

what will i feel or experience during the barium enema procedure?

Accepted Answer

Pain, bloating: For braium enemas, expect to feel some abd cramping or discomfort . Bloating may also occur. A lot depends on the extent of evaluation.

Question 10

are you required to make any special preparations before barium enema?

Accepted Answer

BE preparation: The radiologist will want to have your colon cleansed thoroughly before the procedure.
The exact type of preparation varies but the principle is the same.
Cleaning the colon will result in more accurate pictures.
If not cleaned, residual stool may obscure the real problem or lead to confusion that it may be a tumor/cancer...

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Barium enema

A member asked:

What exactly is a barium enema?

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How long does barium enema take?

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What does a barium enema look for?

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How is a barium enema generally done?

A member asked:

How much do barium enema testing cost?

A member asked:

What are the common reasons for a barium enema?

A member asked:

I had a barium enema last week. what does this mean?

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What should i expect after the barium enema procedure?

A member asked:

What will i feel or experience during the barium enema procedure?

A member asked:

Are you required to make any special preparations before barium enema?

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