Barium contrast used in fluoroscopic GI studies
Expansion
Barium
Purpose
Includes barium swallow, meal, and enema
Clinical Context
Barium is inert positive contrast. Barium swallow for esophageal pathology, barium meal for gastric ulcer, barium enema for colonic polyps.
Related Terms
- Upper endoscopy:
- CT enterography:
- Colonoscopy:
Key Points
- Barium studies less common now due to availability of endoscopy and CT; still useful for motility disorders