 ABOUT
BARIUM ENEMAS
The barium enema is a diagnostic study of
the large intestine. By using barium as a highlighter, your
physician can study the condition and functioning of your
large intestine. A note to inpatients: If you’re having
this procedure done on an inpatient basis, your nurse will
guide you through all preparations, and will arrange for your
transportation to and from the Radiology Department.
PREPARATION
A few days before your examination, you should purchase a
Fleet’s Barium Enema Prep Kit #1, which can be found
at any local pharmacy. Follow the instructions for the 24-hour
preparation. Please note that any barium remaining in your
system after the examination may lead to constipation. You
may want to contact your personal physician to have a laxative
recommended. Please pay close attention to the dietary restrictions
prescribed by your physician. Allow approximately 45 to
60 minutes for your examination.
PROCEDURE
When you arrive for your appointment, a technologist will
show you to a changing room. You will be asked to change
into the exam gown provided. When you’re ready, the
technologist will escort you to the x-ray room and will
help you onto the examination table. You will then be positioned
so that an enema tube can be inserted into your rectum.
Once the tube is in place, the technologist will administer
barium into your large intestine via the enema tube. Throughout
this process, the radiologist or radiologist assistant will
take several x-rays. When the large intestine is completely
filled with the barium, another series of x-rays will be
taken.
Throughout the study, the technologist will
ask you to assume various positions so that your large intestine
can be x-rayed from all sides. Before the final x-ray, the
technologist will help you to a nearby bathroom so that you
can expel as much of the barium as possible.
If your physician or our radiologist feels
an air contrast study is necessary, air will be administered
with the barium via the enema tube. From this point, your
examination will follow the same steps as the regular barium
enema examination.
If you have questions at any point during
your examination, please ask. To avoid constipation after
the procedure is over, drink plenty of fluids. However, do
not do this if you are on a fluid restriction diet.
FOLLOW-UP
The radiologist will study your x-rays and relay the results
to your physician. Your physician will discuss the results
of your examination with you at your next appointment.
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ABOUT CYSTOGRAMS/VOIDING CYSTOGRAMS
A cystogram is a special x-ray study
that looks at your bladder. A
voiding cystogram looks at your bladder and urethra. By
filling the bladder with liquid contrast (a special water
with iodine base), the doctor will be able to look at the
structure and function of your bladder. If you have
ever had a reaction to iodine-based drugs, be sure to tell
the technologist or your doctor prior to the study.
A note to inpatients: If you’re having this procedure done
on an inpatient basis, your nurse will guide you through all
preparations, and will arrange for your transportation to
and from the Radiology Department.
PREPARATION
There is no preparation needed for this study. You may
meat and drink as normal before this study, and take your
regular medicine.
PROCEDURE
When you arrive for your appointment, the technologist will
take you to a dressing room. You will be asked to change
into the exam gown provided. When you are ready, the technologist
will show you to a x-ray room. After the technologist
explains the procedure and answers your questions, you will
be helped onto the table and positioned for a basic x-ray. After
the technologist checks the basic x-ray, a trained professional
will insert the catheter, or tube, through the urethra. This
is the small opening in your body where urine comes out. Your
bladder will then be filled with the liquid contrast through
this catheter, while being watched under fluoroscopy (a
special type of x-ray). Your bladder will feel full. Several
x-rays of your bladder will be taken.
If you are having a cystogram and
the catheter was inserted in the Radiology Department, the
catheter will be removed, and you will be asked to void
in the restroom. If you
arrived with a catheter in place, your bladder will be emptied
through the catheter. The technologist then takes a
post-void x-ray.
If you are having a voiding-cystogram,
the catheter is removed, and you are asked to empty your
bladder on the table while x-rays are taken. While
we know you may find this embarrassing, it is needed so
the radiologist (a doctor who is an expert in reading x-rays)
will be able to read the test.
FOLLOW-UP
The results
of your study will be reviewed by a radiologist, who then
reports the results to your doctor. Your
doctor will discuss the results of the study with you at your
next appointment.
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ABOUT IVP
An IVP is a special x-ray study to examine
your urinary system. By using an iodine-based contrast, your
doctor will be able to visualize the anatomy and functioning
of your kidneys, bladder, and ureters. A note to inpatients:
If you are having this procedure done on an inpatient basis,
your nurse will guide you through all preparations, and will
arrange for your transportation to and from the Radiology
Department.
PREPARATIONS
A few days before your examination: purchase a Dulcolax Bowel
Prep Kit, or three Dulcolax tablets and a suppository. These
can be purchased at any pharmacy -- no prescription is needed.
Day before your examination: Nothing to eat after 12 noon
on the day before your study. You may drink clear liquids
only; no milk products.
- At 8 p.m. the night before your study, take
three Dulcolax tablets by mouth. Swallow them whole; do
not crush or chew the tablets. Also, do not take them within
one hour of taking antacids or milk.
- You may continue to have clear liquids.
But remember, no milk products and no food!
- Day of your examination: No breakfast! No
milk products! You may have clear liquids.
Two hours before your appointment, insert one Dulcolax suppository
rectally.
- You may continue to enjoy clear liquids
until your appointment time.
- Please allow 45 minutes for your IVP.
- Please bring your brochure to your appointment.
Also bring your health benefits ID card and any pre-approval
or referral forms.
PROCEDURE
When you arrive in the Radiology
Department, a technologist will escort you to a dressing room.
You will be asked to change into the exam gown provided. When
you are ready, the technologist will show you to the examination
room, and help you onto the x-ray table. Once you are positioned,
the technologist will take a preliminary x-ray. There will
be a short wait at this point while the technologist shows
the x-ray to a Radiologist.
After the Radiologist reviews the preliminary
x-ray, you will be injected with an iodine-based contrast.
This solution is usually injected into a vein in your hand
or arm. If you have ever had a reaction to iodine-based drugs,
be sure to tell the technologist or your doctor prior to the
examination.
Note to Diabetic Patients: if you receive
an intravenous injection of contrast during the IVP and you
take Metformin (Glucophage� or Glucovance�) therapy, please:
stop taking the Metformin (Glucophage� or
Glucovance�) for 48 hours after the IVP
and talk with your primary care physician before you begin
taking it again.
While you are lying on your back, the technologist will take
a series of x-rays over a 25-minute interval. Toward the end
of the procedure, you may be asked to empty your bladder so
that a post-urination x-ray can be taken.
FOLLOW-UP
The results of your IVP will be interpreted by a Radiologist,
who will then report the results to your physician. Your
physician will discuss the results of the study with you
at your next appointment.
An IVP is a special x-ray study to examine
your urinary system. By using an iodine-based contrast, your
doctor will be able to visualize the anatomy and functioning
of your kidneys, bladder, and ureters. A note to inpatients:
If you are having this procedure done on an inpatient basis,
your nurse will guide you through all preparations, and will
arrange for your transportation to and from the Radiology
Department.
PREPARATIONS
A few days before your examination:
purchase a Dulcolax Bowel Prep Kit, or three Dulcolax tablets
and a suppository. These can be purchased at any pharmacy
-- no prescription is needed.
Day before your examination: Nothing to eat after 12 noon
on the day before your study. You may drink clear liquids
only; no milk products.
At 8 p.m. the night before your study, take three Dulcolax
tablets by mouth. Swallow them whole; do not crush or chew
the tablets. Also, do not take them within one hour of taking
antacids or milk.
You may continue to have clear liquids.
But remember, no milk products and no food!
Day of your examination: No breakfast! No
milk products! You may have clear liquids.
Two hours before your appointment, insert one Dulcolax suppository
rectally.
You may continue to enjoy clear liquids
until your appointment time.
Please allow 45 minutes for your IVP.
Please bring your brochure to your appointment.
Also bring your health benefits ID card and any pre-approval
or referral forms.
PROCEDURE
When you arrive in the Radiology
Department, a technologist will escort you to a dressing room.
You will be asked to change into the exam gown provided. When
you are ready, the technologist will show you to the examination
room, and help you onto the x-ray table. Once you are positioned,
the technologist will take a preliminary x-ray. There will
be a short wait at this point while the technologist shows
the x-ray to a Radiologist.
After the Radiologist reviews the preliminary
x-ray, you will be injected with an iodine-based contrast.
This solution is usually injected into a vein in your hand
or arm. If you have ever had a reaction to iodine-based drugs,
be sure to tell the technologist or your doctor prior to the
examination.
Note to Diabetic Patients: if you receive
an intravenous injection of contrast during the IVP and you
take Metformin (Glucophage� or Glucovance�) therapy, please:
stop taking the Metformin (Glucophage� or
Glucovance�) for 48 hours after the IVP
and talk with your primary care physician before you begin
taking it again.
While you are lying on your back, the technologist will take
a series of x-rays over a 25-minute interval. Toward the end
of the procedure, you may be asked to empty your bladder so
that a post-urination x-ray can be taken.
FOLLOW-UP
The results of your IVP will be interpreted by a Radiologist,
who will then report the results to your physician. Your
physician will discuss the results of the study with you
at your next appointment.
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ABOUT UPPER GI SERIES AND SMALL BOWEL SERIES
An upper GI (GastroIntestinal) series is
a special x-ray examination of the stomach and small intestines.
By using a barium solution to highlight your gastrointestinal
tract, the Radiologist can observe the condition and functioning
of your digestive system.
A note to inpatients: If you’re having
this procedure done on an inpatient basis, your nurse will
guide you through all preparations, and will arrange for your
transportation to and from the Radiology Department.
ABOUT SMALL BOWEL SERIES
If you are scheduled
for a small bowel series, additional x-rays will be taken
at 15-minute intervals until the barium has passed through
your small bowel. The time for this procedure will vary from
individual to individual, so please allow several hours in
your schedule to complete the exam. You may wish to bring
something to occupy yourself while you wait between x-rays.
A note to inpatients: If you’re having
this procedure done on an inpatient basis, your nurse will
guide you through all preparations, and will arrange for your
transportation to and from the Radiology Department.
PREPARATION
The preparation for an upper
GI series or a small bowel series is minimal. Your only restriction
is that you should take nothing by mouth after midnight the
night before your examination. This means no breakfast, water
or other liquids, chewing gum, etc., until after your examination.
Please note that barium sometimes causes constipation. You
may wish to drink extra liquids and resume your regular diet.
A mild laxative may also be helpful. Please allow at least
one hour for your upper GI series. If you are scheduled for
a small bowel series as well, please allow several hours for
your examination.
PROCEDURE
When you arrive for your appointment,
our technologist will escort you to a dressing room. Here
you will be asked to change into the exam gown provided. When
you’re ready, the technologist will show you to an x-ray
room, and will position you in front of the x-ray machine.
You will then be given a cup of barium solution to drink.
As you drink the solution, the Radiologist or Radiologist
Assistant will observe the procedure through a fluoroscope,
a device which projects images of your stomach and small intestine
onto a monitor. Several x-rays will be taken during this procedure.
For the next phase of the exam, the technologist will lower
the x-ray table so you will be lying down. Once you have been
properly positioned, another series of x-rays will be taken.
At the end of this series, the Radiologist will review the
x-rays to be certain that they contain the information needed.
FOLLOW-UP
Your physician will discuss the
results of your study with you at your next appointment.
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